A Stalbridge senior site manager will now compete for the housebuilding industry’s most prestigious national title after he was named a regional winner in the Pride in the Job Awards.
Gary French is creating Bovis Homes’ Blackmore Meadows development in Stalbridge and was crowned in the large builder category at the awards ceremony on Friday.
Organised by the National House Building Council (NHBC) the Pride in the Job awards celebrate site managers who have achieved the very highest standards. Competition is fierce and it is the most highly regarded competition in the industry, now in its 42nd year.
Gary, also 42, started his career as a forklift driver before moving into site management. He was then promoted to area build manager but missed running his own development.
With over 22 years’ housebuilding experience and an NHBC NVQ level six in construction site management, Gary has been hailed as one of the very best site managers in the UK, winning a Quality Award and Seal of Excellence for the second consecutive year, as well as picking up the sought-after regional award.
Gary lives in Yeovil with his wife, daughter and two sons. He commented: “I am delighted to win the regional award, it really was an incredible feeling when they called out my name and I was on stage surrounded by all my peers. Delivering high quality homes for our customers is a real passion of mine but you can’t build a development of 120 homes by yourself; it’s certainly been a team effort and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support.
“Keeping a consistent team has been key to ensure everyone knows what’s expected of them and standards remain constant. The site has to be organised and tidy at all times which makes everyone’s life much simpler and means it’s easier to maintain when you get it to that level.”
He added: “It’s been great to win at Stalbridge, it’s the most amazing place to work and seeing the views around you is not something I take for granted. I’m overjoyed to be recognised and look forward to the national award ceremony in January!”
Managing director, Paul Moran said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Gary, he’s a fantastic site manager and fully deserves this recognition. He’s the best of colleagues; he’s generous with his time and he mentored a trainee who has gone on to win awards in his first year as a site manager, which speaks volumes. It’s testament to Gary’s leadership skills that the team works so well together and we are extremely proud of them all as competition is fierce.
“Gary takes such pride in his job – the attention to detail is outstanding – and while we’re delighted with his award, it’s not a complete surprise as he does an incredible job!”
Gary will now be entered automatically into the Supreme Awards which will be revealed at a ceremony in London in January. He is one of 11 regional winners going through to the national awards in the large builder category.
Blackmore Meadows features a beautiful collection of three and four bedroom homes, including two thatched properties. For more information on the new homes Gary is creating in Stalbridge, call 01963 836000 or visit www.bovishomes.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 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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