When Swansea’s Liam Puckett started out as an apprentice carpenter with Persimmon Homes at the age of 16, few would’ve predicted he would be Construction Director just 14 years later.

But that is exactly what has happened after the 30-year-old was promoted to the senior position at Persimmon Homes East Wales, making him the housebuilding giant’s second youngest Construction Director in the UK and the youngest ever in Wales.

It is a ringing endorsement of the apprenticeship scheme as the country marks National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

 I am over the moon to be made Construction Director,” said Liam. “To achieve this at a company the size of Persimmon Homes is a real privilege.

 “I am a very driven person and Construction Director was always the aim, but I didn’t think it was possible in the timeframe.

 “It just shows that Persimmon is a company that gives people opportunities. They have supported me right from the off and continue to do so to this day.”

 Having completed his apprenticeship, Liam progressed onto Trainee manager, Assistant Site Manager and Site Manager before becoming the youngest Contracts Manager Persimmon Homes East Wales had ever had at the age of 25.

 Next up was Build Manager before Head of Construction in 2020 and then this latest promotion at the turn of the year.

Liam said: “I was working on the tools and I was inspired by the managers. I decided that’s what I wanted to do, so I packed the tools up and went for it.

“My job now covers everything from driving the build and delivering the level of standards expected on quality to the housing standards, analyzing stats in all categories and aspects of the business and supporting customers on their journey with us where necessary.

“As a business we have a goal of being top of the NHBC / Premier Guarantee quality standards for all major housebuilders in the country and that is the focus point for me and the team.

“Our goal is consistency in our approach to all areas of our roles to support the number one priority, the build product, and the customer satisfaction of their new home purchase with us. “Personally, I want to keep progressing in my journey and continue getting better at what I do.”

Martin Smith, managing director of Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: “Liam has worked very hard indeed to get where he is today. We’re proud to have him as part of the team and I’m sure he will continue to progress in his career in the years to come.

“Persimmon is a company that believes in supporting people in their careers, and Liam’s story is just one example of that.”

Persimmon Homes is currently building houses right across South Wales, including in Cardiff, Barry, Blackwood and Abergavenny.

For more information, visit www.persimmonhomes.com