A Glasgow site manager is among the first to be recognised in our national health and safety awards.

John McMaster, from Irvine, is one of five site managers shortlisted in our new annual HS&E Excellence Awards launched this year. The awards celebrate the high standards demonstrated at sites across each of the housebuilders 31 regional business shortlisting five site managers that consistently provide an exceptionally safe environment for people living and working on site.

Responsible for the delivery of 57 housing association properties at the Gilbertfield Housing Association development in Cambuslang, site manager, John McMaster was named among the five shortlisted construction employees for his, and assistant site manager, Jack Sloss’s unwavering commitment to delivering all aspects of the Group health and safety policy.  

John McMaster has worked in roles linked to Persimmon since leaving school.  His first job as an apprentice for his father’s painting and decorating company introduced him to Persimmon where he worked on sites across West Scotland. 

Looking for a new challenge he decided he wanted to develop his skills by starting his career in construction, working as a foreman at a Persimmon Homes development in Irvine.  He progressed to assistant site manager before being promoted to site manager in April 2020, he said: “Both myself and Jack are very proud to be named in the awards shortlist and look forward to the winners announcement in September. 

“My ethos has always been that a good site is a safe site, and we work hard to maintain high standards of safety and quality workmanship.  Jack joined us in October 2020 at what is his first site where standards are high giving him an excellent foundation for future sites that he will manage.”

Group Health, Safety & Environment Director Abigail Bainbridge said: “We launched these awards last year to recognise those construction teams that consistently deliver the requirements of our Group HS&E policy and are thrilled to see how each region has fully embraced the ethos of HS&E, often thinking outside the box especially in these challenging times.”

The entries were judged by the Senior Group HS&E Advisor and each of the Regional Chairmen or Divisional Directors who whittled them down to five sites, representing the North, Scotland, Central, South East and South West divisions.

Abigail added: “We will soon be shortlisting the divisional winners to our final three, who will attend the Group HS&E annual dinner in York in September, where our overall gold, silver and bronze winning developments will be announced.

Alan Prickett, Scottish regional construction director, said: “It is fantastic to see one of our Scottish sites shortlisted in these awards.  I am extremely proud of the high standards maintained across Scotland and want to congratulate John and Jack for their dedication and hard work.”