Member Article

New Construction Director at Hampshire site

A former trainee who has climbed the ladder to become Construction Director at Barratt Homes’ Southampton division has taken on his new role this month.

Gary Bagley, 34, who started as an apprentice at Barratt Homes in 2007, spent two years as a trainee before quickly climbing the ranks, joining the housebuilder’s Assistant Site Manager programme in 2009.

During his early career, Gary showed ambition as he became apprentice of the year at the leading housebuilder and had secured his first Pride In the Job Award – the most highly regarded in the housebuilding industry – aged just 24. This would be the first of three Pride in the Job Awards Gary would secure over three years, all before the age of 26.

Following a stint at Vistry, Gary was promoted to Area Build Director, but always wanted to return to Barratt and when the opportunity came up for Construction Director, he jumped at the chance.

Settling in to his new role, Gary said it was great to be a part of a company where he felt so supported by senior staff. “Even as an apprentice I was made to feel like anything was possible and the management team would make sure I was fully supported to achieve whatever I wanted,” he said.

Barratt Homes’ Southampton division, which is bringing new homes to Hampshire including at Harbour Place in Bedhampton, Pebble Walk on Hayling Island and Forest Walk in Whiteley, is an equal opportunities’ employer and works hard to ensure there are roles for everyone. That is why the leading housebuilder invests a lot of time in training staff as well as attracting young people through good quality apprenticeship schemes, like the one Gary took on back in 2007.

Encouraging young people into a career in construction is something Gary is passionate about and, speaking about how he’s managed to achieve a high-level career at a young age, Gary said: “I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do as a career choice, but I was approached with the opportunity to work at Barratt and I didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve worked hard, but I’d say the secret to success is to make sure you open yourself up to as many opportunities as possible – and for young people, who are maybe thinking about next steps for a career or further education next year, getting as much experience as possible is really important.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .