Name: Ian Thomson
Job Title: Senior Land & Planning Manager
University: Cardiff
Degree: Architectural Engineering
Age: 28
Career History
Ian followed the Technical Management
Programme. After completing his training
in 2005 he was appointed as Development
Coordinator in George Wimpey West
Yorkshire. From day one he appreciated the
respect he received within the business and
was pleased that directors and managers were
interested in his ideas. Since then he has been
promoted to his current position which sees
him co-ordinating the team responsible for
the technical and land acquisition aspects of
the business.
I experienced a number of jobs before coming
to George Wimpey and it appeared that there
are three things that make a great job: the
people you work with, the variety of work
and of course, money. This scheme gave me
the perfect mix.
My first experience was a two-week induction
to introduce me to the company and to meet
most of the senior directors, including lunch
with the Chairman and dinner with the Chief
Executive. Spending time with the other
graduates in my group helped to create a
strong relationship with people who would
be going through the same challenges for the
next 12 months.
The first few months gave me a chance to get
stuck into all aspects of the business, from
laying bricks to designing sales centres. I
worked with some great people, who ensured
that my learning curve was incredibly steep.
Although the focus was placed on my
development, it was also really refreshing to
have senior managers and directors actually
sitting back and taking notice of my ideas and
suggestions.
My favourite part of the Graduate Scheme
was a one-month placement in Morrison
Homes, our American subsidiary. I worked
in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a fabulous
experience and I learned so much about the
differences between the businesses as well as
seeing some great basketball and ice hockey!
I love the variety of my current role - some
days I am in the office coordinating projects
and other days I go out and visit our building
sites to solve problems. A career like this is
fantastic for developing business skills whilst
still being involved in the technical and
design aspects which were the preferred areas
of my degree. In the longer term I aim to be a
regional director within a couple of years.
Name: Ingrid Gelley
Job Title: Director & General Manager
University: Oxford
Degree: Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Age: 31
Career History
Ingrid joined the George Wimpey General
Management Scheme in 2001. Her first
regional role was Assistant Land Manager
in the West Midlands region. Subsequently,
high performance has lead to a series of
promotions. Having worked as the Land
and Planning Director of George Wimpey
East London for 2 1/2 years, she is currently
the Director & General Manager for Taylor
Wimpey City.
A graduate scheme with a residential
developer may well not have occurred to you
previously as a career with high potential. I
would strongly suggest that you read this and
then reconsider.
After only seven years with the Company,
I now run one of Taylor Wimpey's regional
Business Units - Taylor Wimpey City which
is a region dealing with complex projects
(including substantial regeneration schemes)
and Joint Venture projects predominantly in
the Capital. Previously I sat on the board
of George Wimpey East London as Land
& Planning Director with responsibility for
land acquisition and development. Although
extremely challenging and high-pressure at
times, I thoroughly enjoy my job - that is not
necessarily a statement that many people can
make! My current position gives me ultimate
responsiblity for all of the functions within
the business which creates an incredibly
varied environment.
The Graduate Scheme itself gives you an
excellent opportunity to fast track your
development if you are willing to learn and
to work hard. The initial placements provide
a rare chance to observe the different areas
of the business and to identify the area
that interests you, where you will have the
personality and the attributes to progress.
Perhaps one of the biggest difficulties is the
necessity to re-locate all over the country in
order to take advantage of the best placements,
although this does mean that a much broader
experience is available.
The training I have received has been tailored
to my specific preferences and needs. Since
the selected graduates are few in number,
this means that you can benefit from personal
attention and your progress is closely
observed by key senior management, more so
than many graduate schemes elsewhere.
I have never regretted my decision to join the
George Wimpey Management Scheme and
I intend to extend my knowledge and build
on my experience in this role to maintain my
success.
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