Persimmon Homes manager scoops national industry award

A site manager looking after a Worcestershire housing development for Persimmon Homes South Midlands has won a national industry excellence award.

Tom Smith, who manages Persimmon’s Whittington Walk development in Spetchley, has won a Pride in the Job Award in a scheme run by national homes warranty provider NHBC.

The NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, first launched more than 40 years ago and is considered the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry.

Judging for the Awards is rigorous, with each of the site managers across a field of more than 10,000 assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety.

Tom, 25, started work as a labourer six years ago and has been managing Whittington Walk for just 18 months.

He said: “I started as a general labourer after quitting a factory job. From the time I started on site I took a keen interest in the management and the opportunities for progression.

“I was made assistant site manager after three and a half years and then I was promoted to site manager here on January 2, 2020. I would never have predicted that after 18 months I would be winning an NHBC Pride in the Job Award. I love this job and I am very happy.”

Russell Griffin, managing director of Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “We are delighted Tom’s success has been recognised industry wide and at a national level. He has demonstrated a passion for construction and worked his way up in just six years.

“He recognises the impact his role has for our customers as well as his team on site and the company as a whole and delivers consistently.”

By recognising the very best site managers across the UK, the NHBC competition celebrates the vital role that they play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards.

Tom now goes forward to compete in the next round for the Seal of Excellence Award which will be announced in the autumn.

Whittington Walk has outline planning permission for 300 homes across three phases. Construction at the development is approximately half way through and offers a range of house styles to suit first-time buyers, young families, investors and downsizers.

For more information, visit www.persimmonhomes.com or call 01905 677 678.