25 years and counting for Worcester’s ‘Mr Persimmon’

A quarter of a century after first joining the company as a forklift driver, Mark Gallagher is celebrating a long and very varied professional relationship with Persimmon Homes – culminating in his current role of contracts manager.

The remarkable journey has seen Mark working at dozens of sites across the region, gathering knowledge and experience in all aspects of the construction industry. Having earned his spurs as assistant site manager, then site manager, he was eventually appointed contracts manager in 2020, with responsibility for several developments in the South Midlands region.

Looking back on his rise from forklift to management, Mark said: “I love the day-to-day responsibility of working with different sites,” said Mark. “Every day is different when you’re completing complex build programmes and dealing with all aspects of the job alongside your teams, together with contractors and purchasers.”

Mark, who is 51 and lives in Worcester, joined Beazer Homes as a forklift driver back in 1989, prior to its acquisition by Persimmon in 2001. After a spell with sister company Charles Church, he joined the company’s South Midlands office, based in Studley in 2007.

Among many notable projects, he won his first National Housebuilding Confederation “Pride in the Job Award”, for the development at Whittington Walk, Worcester.

Mark added: “I love working with Persimmon Homes as they are friendly company to work for. They are very keen to promote, train and up-skill their employees. I will always be grateful for this commitment to its people as it has been vital for the progression of my career.”

Jak Harper, construction director at South Midlands, said: “Twenty-five years with one company is an incredible achievement and Mark has been a true stalwart. It’s always especially satisfying to see people of Mark’s calibre come through the ranks and take up senior positions within the industry.

“He has experienced everything from forklift driving to site management and he knows this area inside out. I’m sure he will continue to excel in this role and help us deliver more outstanding new homes for local people.”

As if further confirmation were needed that Mark truly believes in Persimmon Homes, he confirms that he recently bought a house at the company’s Worcester Gate development.