29th September 2006 Contact: Melissa Blamey on 01494 735720 e-mail mblamey@nhbc.co.uk SOUTH EAST S BEST SITE MANAGERS NAMED IN HOUSE BUILDING OSCARS Following months of suspense, NHBC has named the South East s best site managers in the most coveted awards scheme in the house-building industry - NHBC s Pride in the Job Awards. The Seal of Excellence winners have beaten over 18,000 site managers to be placed in the UK s top 100 site managers, for building the very best quality new homes and managing their site to an exceptional standard. Pride in the Job is unique, as it is the only national competition to focus on the site manager s role in producing high quality new homes. Judging takes place all year round and scores are given across 38 different areas of site management, including technical knowledge, consistency in the build process and leadership and organisational skills. From the Seal of Excellence winners, three site managers have been selected as Regional Award winners. These three winners will go through to the overall UK final and compete for a UK Supreme Award at the prestigious nation-wide grand final in January 2007. Representing the South East in the Pride in the Job grand final are: Christopher Strong, 50, of the Wickford Development Company won the Regional Award in the small to medium builder category for his site Woodlands Park, Great Dunmow, Essex. Chris claimed the title of overall UK Supreme Award in the small to medium builder category last year and has achieved Pride in the Job success again by winning a Regional award. Chris has been in the industry for 35 years and has been with the Wickford Development Company for the last 22. A Page 1 of 4
keen golfer, Chris says he enjoys working with the trades on site and ultimately giving the purchaser the home they want. Paul Hatfield, 51, of Berkeley Homes (East Thames) won the Regional Award in the large builder category for his site Building 49, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London. Proud Grandfather Paul says he s worked from the bottom (the foundations) to the top (Site Manager) to get where he is today. Paul says he enjoys that every day is different on site and says his main strength is his ability to communicate effectively. Currently Vice President of the Bexley Athletic Club, Paul is extremely active and has 21 marathons under his belt. He says winning a Pride in the Job Award shows that after 36 years in the industry he still performs to a very high level. Frank Sime, 53, of Berkeley Homes Central London won the Regional Award in the multi-storey builder category for his site Chelsea Bridge Wharf, Queenstown Road, London. Frank has notched up 37 years in the building sector. He says he has a passion for delivering top quality homes and that receiving positive feedback from clients is one of the best aspects of the job. Frank certainly seems to have the PIJ magic touch this is the fourth year in a row he has won a Pride in the Job Award! Richard Hartshorn, NHBC Regional Director and Chairman of the Pride in the Job national judging panel says: At a time when the Government has challenged the house-building industry to increase housing supply and deliver higher levels of customer satisfaction, no other award is more indicative of a house builder s attitude to quality and high standards. The commitment and attention to details it takes to win a PIJ award at this level is immense. The winners are to be applauded for their achievement. All 23 South East Seal of Excellence winners, announced at the awards lunch today in Effingham Park, were chosen from 75 site managers who won first stage Quality Awards in July. Ends Page 2 of 4
Notes to editors: Names of the winners for the South East region are attached. A photo of the winning site managers are available on request e-mail mblamey@nhbc.co.uk Awards are made in three categories: a) Large - site manager for a company or group of companies with an annual output of more than 300 homes a year. b) Small to Medium site manager for a company or group of companies with an annual output of less than 300 homes a year. c) Multi storey - site manager in either of the above categories on structures above 3 storeys. NHBC is the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK. NHBC s primary purpose is to raise standards in the new house-building industry and provide consumer protection for new house buyers. Page 3 of 4
Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence Winners 2006 South East Region Site Manager Site Address Organisation Lou Apcevski The Woodlands Horsenden Lane Perivale Middlesex P J Carey (Contractors) South Phil Barret The Lock Stratford London Ardmore Construction Jeremy Cook Wellhouse Green West Mersea Colchetser Essex Mersea Homes Guy Cunningham The Cloisters College Road Ramsgste Kent George Wimpey South East Martin Davies Phase 2 The Hamptons Worcester Park Surrey St James (South Thames Region) Mike Ellis MCIOB Meridian South Hither Green Lewisham London Bellway Homes South East Nicholas Finden Centrium Woking Surrey Ardmore Construction Phil Gallagher The Quadrant Leyton Orient Brisbane Road London Ardmore Construction Football Club Frank Gallagher Wandsworth Riverside Building 3 & 4 Wandsworth London ISG InteriorExterior plc Quarter Mike Hart Sandling Park Sandling Lane Maidstone Kent Ward Homes Paul Hatfield Building 49, Royal Arsenal Woolwich London Berkeley Homes (East Thames) John Hedger Hoads Wood St Leonards on Sea Hastings East Sussex Persimmon Homes (South East) Keith Julier Darwin Court Cliftonville Margate Kent McCarthy & Stone South East Stewart O'Brien Axiom Feltham Middlesex Barratt West London Tim Orme Building 22, Royal Arsenal Woolwich London Berkeley Homes (East Thames) Page 4 of 4
Bram Paton New River Village Hornsey High Street Hornsey London St James Group (North Thames Region) Neil Penny Kew Riverside Park Strand Drive Kew Surrey St George West London Alex Richards Lions Ridge Chafford Hundred Grays Essex Bellwinch Homes Ian Scarfe Tamarinds Tufnell Way Bergholt Road Colchester, George Wimpey East London Essex Frank Sime Chelsea Bridge Wharf Queenstown Road London Berkeley Homes Central London Leonard Smith Heathlands Braintree Essex George Tanner (Shalford) Peter Smyth Vision 7 Eden Grove Hornsey Street Islington, London Laing O'Rourke London & South East Christopher Strong Woodlands Park Great Dunmow Essex Wickford Development Company Page 4 of 4