Russell keeps it in the family with Redrow

‘Like father like son’ says the old phrase, and that is definitely the case for Redrow Homes’ newest area construction manager, Russell Botting. Russell, from Camberley, in Surrey, has followed in his father, Bill’s, footsteps by opting for a career in the building industry.

Russell says: “My dad owned his own building company so it’s in the blood and I’ve always wanted to be in the business – although I never had any grand designs about exactly what I wanted to do.”

Russell began his career as an apprentice carpenter with Bovis Homes, before working his way up the ladder to first become a trainee site manager, assistant site manager and finally site manager.

“After 15 years I decided it was time for a change and moved over to Redrow. A former boss of mine had recently made the move and he was really enjoying himself, so it seemed like a good career move for me. It turned out to be the best thing I could’ve done – and now here I am as area construction manager for Redrow’s southern operation.”

In his new role, Russell will oversee construction on site of all developments within Redrow’s southern operation, leading a team of seven site managers. This will include making sure that the company’s build targets are met in a timely manner and within budget. He is also responsible for making sure that the quality of output remains at a high level.

Included in the developments that Russell will now oversee are those where he was previously site manager, Kennet Heath in Thatcham and Imperial Heights in Bracknell, plus others including new development Farnborough Central in Farnborough, and apartment ventures Porterhouse in Crawley and OneEighty in Horsham.

Russell joined Basingstoke-based Redrow Homes (Southern) in 2004 and became site manager at the popular Kennet Heath development in Thatcham, Berkshire. After spending two years here, he moved to flagship development Imperial Heights, which is located in Jennett’s Park, a brand new purpose built community in Bracknell.

He explains: “My aims as area construction manager are simply to maintain the high standards that have been set before me at Redrow and to continue to improve the construction quality and output of the southern company. In the future there’s the opportunity to rise further through the ranks and maybe one day become a construction director, which definitely appeals to me – but I’m not thinking of that just yet.”

Russell, who still lives in Camberley with his wife Lisa, finds most of his time outside of work taken up by his two young daughters, Carys, aged three years, and recently born Amber.

He says: “I don’t really get time at the moment to do anything except work and be with the girls, but I don’t have a problem with that, I still enjoy myself.”

Redrow Homes (Southern) is part of Redrow plc, which builds around 5,000 new homes each year in England, Scotland and Wales. As well as the Kennet Heath and Jennett’s Park schemes, the Basingstoke based operation also has developments in Eastbourne and Bexhill-on-Sea, in East Sussex, and Horsham and Crawley, in West Sussex, while new homes are also planned for Hailsham, in East Sussex and Farnborough in Hampshire.

For more information about careers at Redrow go to Redrowcareers.co.uk.