Member Article

Pride and professionalism secure awards

There was a double celebration for construction and regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships North as two Site Managers secured prestigious regional awards.

Chris Jamieson won a second consecutive Pride in the Job accolade from the National House Building Council (NHBC), whilst Dave Donkin was named 2019 Residential Construction Professional of the Year in the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Awards.

Both men are managing sites developing homes for Galliford Try’s house building division, Linden Homes.

Pride in the Job is given to those who achieve the highest standards in house building, putting Chris, 29 and from Whitley Bay, in the top 3% of over 16,000 people assessed nationwide. This recognition, for his work at the Saint George development in Morpeth, is especially pleasing as he received the same honour last year, while working at the North Farm site in Blyth.

Having joined the business five and a half years ago, Chris came through the graduate trainee programme, becoming the company’s youngest ever Site Manager when he was promoted to the role in December 2017.

He said: “I am proud to have secured a second award but while it may have my name on it, credit must also go to the dedicated team around me. My focus has always been to provide high quality homes that are appreciated by my clients and completing every build stage to the best standard possible has been key to this success.”

For Dave, 52 and from Hartlepool, the award is particularly special, as he was nominated for the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship by the Local Authority Building Inspection team at Gateshead Council. It is reward for the collaborative and productive working relationship which he has developed with the inspectors who visited his site – The Aspens in Birtley.

He said: “It is an honour to receive such an endorsement from the people whose job it is to make sure that we adhere to all the rules and regulations of the industry.”

With a previous Saint George Site Manager also a Pride in the Job winner, Managing Director, Sean Egan, added: “We are delighted for Chris as an individual but also that he is maintaining the excellent standard of building achieved at this development. Dave has also demonstrated the highest professional standards and the recognition which both of them have received and deserve shows the high calibre of people we have working for us in the region, which gives customers confidence in the quality of the homes they are buying. “

Now in their 39th year, the NHBC awards are highly regarded in the house building industry. Over a 12 month period judges assess the skills demonstrated by Site Managers, covering six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.

The LABC Awards, which cover all local authority areas in England and Wales, celebrate achievements in the construction industry, reward excellent buildings, outstanding companies and partnerships and individuals that go that extra mile.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .