Member Article

Contracts manager recognised in national awards

A contracts manager who joined Persimmon Homes less than four years ago has scooped a top award in the housebuilder’s national annual Achievers Awards.

Franz Brange, aged 45, who is based at Persimmon’s North London office in Maidenhead, received the Duncan Davidson Award from Regional Chairman Martyn Clark in a socially distanced presentation at a development in Thame.

The Duncan Davidson Award is named after founder of Persimmon Homes and seeks to recognise someone who has demonstrated his entrepreneurial flair and spirit.

Franz, who lives in Harrow, is originally from Laois in Ireland and joined Persimmon in April 2017. He was nominated for the award by North London Construction Director Charlie Jury.

Charlie said: “Franz is a well-liked and respected part of the construction team who always looks for solutions rather than problems.

“He has been Project Manager for our flag ship site at Harrow View West for the past three years, which won Development of the Year for the region in the 2019 Premier Guarantee Awards of which we are really proud.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, Franz reacted quickly to implement the Covid-19 segregation and protection measures enlisting the help of a number of trades to get these measures in place with minimal cost to the business while demonstrating Persimmon’s commitment to the protection of our workforce and customers.

“He always goes above and beyond, focusing particularly on quality and health & safety, and his knowledge and commitment certainly makes my job easier.”

With a background in engineering, Franz moved to the UK from Ireland in 2009. After a number of years working in and around London on high end projects, including three years in Belgravia Square, an opportunity to join Persimmon came up and Franz joined the business as Site Manager.

Today he is responsible for five developments across the region, including St Andrews Park in Uxbridge, Harrow View West in Harrow and Sycamore Rise in Thame.

“Joining Persimmon was quite a change of direction for me, and it was a huge adjustment, but from day one I was made to feel part of the North London family. “It was a terrific move for me though - there can be no more job satisfaction than helping create someone’s dream home and handing it over to them with pride.

“Winning the Duncan Davidson Award was a complete surprise that came out of the blue. I didn’t even know Charlie had nominated me but I am absolutely delighted to receive it and that my commitment and hard work has been recognised.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Taylor .