A former soldier who served with the Royal Anglian Regiment and has worked on some of Vistry Group’s biggest projects has been shortlisted for an industry award.

Brett Fennell, associate production director for Vistry Partnerships London, is in the running for Team Leader of the Year at next month’s British Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

Brett, who served with the regiment from 1995-1998, including a tour of Belfast, has had a hands-on role in Vistry’s Brunel Street Works in Canning Town, Gallions Place at Royal Albert Wharf, and Plaistow Hub in Newham.

Vistry re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant at Brunel Street Works last year to reaffirm its commitment to the military community including providing employment opportunities and helping those connected to the armed forces onto the housing ladder.

Brett is one of six Vistry employees who have been chosen as finalists for the awards from more than 700 nominations.

As well as employing and offering guidance to project leads, he mentors both military service leavers considering a career in construction and current Vistry employees.

He said: “I am thrilled to be a finalist in the awards. To receive this recognition is very humbling – there are so many transferable skills to be picked up in the armed forces which have crossed over into my construction career and are utilised on our projects within Vistry.

“Vistry Partnerships London has a fantastic team and I am proud of the results we achieve and the quality of our work – I hope I can celebrate this achievement with all our hardworking colleagues. I love mentoring and I’m excited for the future of Vistry and the housebuilding industry.”

Raymond Toft, managing director of Vistry London Partnerships, said Brett had contributed to the success of the whole business unit, which was fully behind him ahead of the awards ceremony.

“Brett is a tremendous hard worker and colleague, and it comes as no surprise he’s been nominated as Team Leader of the Year in the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards,” Raymond said.

 “His leadership is second to none and Brett has inspired many through his mentoring. He has worked on impressive Vistry projects with excellent results and consequently has contributed to the whole business unit – we wish him the very best of luck and will be right behind him in September.”

Bovis Homes – part of Vistry – was awarded the Ministry of Defence’s Gold Award for the Employer Recognition Scheme in 2019. It first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2016 and was the first dedicated housebuilder to receive the Gold Award. Vistry re-signed the covenant in October.

The British Ex-Forces in Business Awards are taking place at Grosvenor House in London on 8th September.