PERSI M MON HOM ES SPOTLIGHT ON ROGER DEVLIN AND PERSIMMON HOMES
A first step on the ladder WE SPEAK TO ROGER DEVLIN ABOUT GROWING UP IN THE NORTH WEST AND HOW PERSIMMON HOMES IS HELPING THE LEVELLING UP AGENDA BY GETTING PEOPLE ON THE PROPERT Y L ADDER.
Q
// You’re the Chairman of Persimmon Homes which is in the business of building communities, tell us a little bit about the community you grew up in?
A
// I grew up between
Blackburn and Bolton. I was probably a bit like the boy in short trousers in the Hovis ad making my way to school down the cobbled streets with flickering gas lights. I had a two hour commute each way by bus, train and bus to Manchester Grammar which was very much the Holy Grail educationally at the time, so I was very lucky. It was a gritty upbringing but good grounding for building and betting.
Q// What role do you feel companies like Persimmon should play in boosting opportunity and building back better through the Covid Recovery?
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A// I believe we have a crucial role and that’s why we have been changing what we do to make an even greater contribution. We are already a major employer of course. We have also been trying to open up the routes into employment – which is one reason we are so pleased to sign the Social Mobility Pledge – and also pathways for colleagues to progress through the company. We are the first housebuilder to be accredited as a NVQ assessment centre and have 13 per cent of colleagues currently on a formal training programme, for example. I am also delighted we are seeking Living Wage Foundation accreditation. Q// Purpose-led business and the ESG agenda has really come to the fore recently. What does this mean for you and Persimmon? A// Dean Finch, our new CEO, spoke of Persimmon being a responsible business at our recent full year results. We have made important progress – for example, in customer service and training – and new commitments – for example, the Social Mobility Pledge and the Living Wage – that demonstrate this. Perhaps our most significant recent commitment is environmental. We have signed up to science-based targets in-line with the
