A former bricklaying apprentice has won a major industry accolade for his hard work and building homes of outstanding quality at a new-build location in Basingstoke.
James Berry, site manager at Linden Homes’ Hounsome Fields development, has won a National House Building Council (NHBC) Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence, considered one of the most highly regarded awards in the house building industry.
The father-of-three was presented the gong in front of an audience of sector peers at the NHBC’s South West awards ceremony. Now in their 41st year, Pride in the Job recognises site managers dedicated to achieving the highest standards in UK housebuilding and committed to building homes of the highest quality for their customers.
James, 36, from Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, said: “I’m so happy to have received this Seal of Excellence, this is the best day of my career – it means so much and we feel it is thoroughly deserved for the work the whole team carries out at Linden Homes’ Hounsome Fields. We’re all completely focused on producing outstanding quality and communicate every single day with our customers to ensure we build the best homes we can for people in, and moving to, Basingstoke.”
Judging for the awards is rigorous, with each site manager assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety. By recognising the very best site managers across the UK, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence, the competition celebrates the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards.
James, who completed an HNC in Construction at Eastleigh College, joined the housebuilding company six years ago. Linden Homes and Bovis Homes are part of Vistry Group. A keen golfer, James also supports Southampton FC and has three boys, aged 13, 11 and 6. He works at the Winchester Road-based development, which is a joint venture with Wates Developments, part of leading privately-owned construction, property services and development company, the Wates Group.
Keith Carnegie, chief executive of Vistry Housebuilding, said: “James’ Seal of Excellence is a fantastic result and unsurprising considering the outstanding quality of our new-build homes at Hounsome Fields and the impressive feedback we receive from customers. James is a very hard worker and we have an excellent team here in Basingstoke, as we do across our locations – we’re delighted to be celebrating this latest achievement with him.”
NHBC inspectors began judging developments for the current Pride in the Job campaign in July 2020, assessing site managers against stringent criteria based on the definitive technical standards laid out by NHBC.
Steve Wood, NHBC chief executive, said: “Pride in the Job has been pivotal in improving the quality of new homes for more than 40 years and, after such a tough period for the country, it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate them in person this year. Despite the numerous challenges the industry has faced, the very best site managers of 2021 have remained focused on delivering high quality new homes for their customers.
“A site manager’s role is one of the most challenging in house building and recognising their persistent drive for excellence is very much at the heart of the competition. Receiving a Seal of Excellence Award is a great achievement for any site manager. It’s no surprise that Pride in the Job winning sites have higher levels of customer satisfaction. The homes being built are amongst the best the UK has to offer.”
For more information on Linden Homes’ Hounsome Fields, visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk/hounsomefields.
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Contact: Chris Campbell, Vistry Group, 01242 388713; chris.campbell@vistrygroup.co.uk
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
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