News

April 19, 2023 | IN Together Magazine | BY AVID | 3 min read

Peter Wood is an industry veteran. 30-plus years in the building industry and he knows it like the back of his hand.

Pete has a great story – from apprentice tradie all the way to the executive boardroom. We sat down with him to find out about how his work helps him belong.

Tell us what the GM of Housing actually does.
Essentially my role is to be responsible for the design, documentation, estimation, scheduling and ultimate delivery of our completed Villaworld Homes, which is the building arm of AVID Property Group.

How did you get your start in the property industry?
I’ve probably taken a slightly different path than others. I came through a trade apprenticeship as a carpenter, and I’ve been on a bit of a journey ever since. I received my qualifications in carpentry and went on to work as a subcontractor, then spent 10 years in a sales environment before returning to residential building, and ultimately to my current role.

What was it about property that appealed to you?
Well, I’ve always had a passion for constructing things, and I’ve always also felt there’s a real sense of nurturing and security around our homes. I appreciate that buying a home is a very big investment for anyone, so my team and I certainly want to make sure that we do the best possible job we can. Whether our customer is a first-time buyer or on to their third or fourth home, we have the same level of excitement for the job. It’s a privilege to be able to actually build someone’s dream and to see their joy in the process and of course the finished home.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your career?
This may sound cliché, but I think the greatest lesson I’ve learned is to maintain my integrity no matter what. But also, you must be humble, and honest – and of course, find a company to work for that shares these values so that you truly feel you belong there. Be prepared to accept when you’re wrong. Be prepared to listen to the ideas of the team around you. Be prepared to leverage off everyone’s experiences. As well, I personally think you need to be open minded and to embrace that feedback as an opportunity and respect the leadership potential of everyone in the business.

What do you enjoy most about what you’re doing in your current role?
I think that building always has its challenges, and what I love particularly is the need to think laterally and to hustle and quickly develop a plan B, if that’s what’s required. You must be agile for sure, but you can’t compromise your standards or quality along the way. And we look to our experience and the skill of the team to be able to do that.

What is unique about the building approach of Villaworld Homes?
I think that with Villaworld Homes, what you see is what you get. There is truth in our advertising and truth in what we deliver. So, that’s what sets us apart. We believe in taking the risk out of building your home. We look for consistent delivery which leads to repeatable outcomes, which means we can deliver affordable quality.

To explore Villaworld Homes by AVID Property Group, please visit www.avid.com.au/villaworld-homes