Two of Redrow’s Lancashire site managers have proved age is no barrier to success after scooping one of the housebuilding industry’s most respected awards, putting them at the top of their field.
At age 70 Alan Purdy, from Formby is Redrow Lancashire’s oldest site manager, while 27-year-old Jason Booth, from Chorley, is one of the division’s youngest. They were both recognised in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards 2022 and received a coveted ‘Quality’ Award for their outstanding efforts for the company.
The pair were among only 443 winners across the whole of the UK, chosen from a field of over 10,000, putting them in the top 5% of those who entered.
Jason Booth, 27 (pictured below), started his career with the company as an apprentice bricklayer and quickly worked his way up the management ladder.
He has only been site manager for 18 months, working on Willows Green in Clayton-le-Woods - for which he won the Quality Award - before moving on to Worden Gardens in Leyland.
“To get a Pride in the Job Award in my first year as site manager is something I’m thrilled about,” said Jason.
“I didn’t really think about it but when people asked how old I was they were saying there were site managers in their 40s and 50s who were still trying for one, and that made me feel luckier than ever to have achieved one so early on in my career.
“It takes a lot of time and effort, but it’s a huge accolade, and I’m grateful to Redrow.”
NHBC judges site managers across six key areas throughout numerous site visits and inspections before deciding who will win the prestigious awards which have been a benchmark of success for more than 40 years.
Consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety, all come into focus.
“It’s challenging,” added Jason. “The biggest part of my job is bringing it all together, and you rely on the people around you. At the end of the day it’s about always doing the job to the best of my ability and delivering a good product for the customer.
“Redrow gave me my opportunity, and to win this award with them is an honour. I want to go as far as I can and I hope it is the first of many Pride in the Job Awards.”
Alan Purdy is celebrating his fourth Pride in the Job Quality Award after winning three years in a row at his previous site, Sanderling Park.
He moved from there to The Oaks at Taylor’s Chase in Warrington, and was ‘gobsmacked’ to be among the winners. Father-of-two Alan, who’s been with Redrow for 17 years, said: “I think I was more excited about this than the first one I won.
“I have taken over a site and the lads have all pulled together and worked as a team. I hadn’t thought I stood a chance, but we’ve kept standards high.
“For me personally it’s such an achievement, to keep the momentum going for four years.”
And, while he might be one of our oldest site managers, Alan is showing no signs of slowing down yet: “I’ve told them that if they get me another job I’ll get them another award. The beauty of it is that I don’t have to do this, I do it because I want to do it: it keeps me fit and it keeps me young, and I enjoy it.
“All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing to the best of my ability and striving in the right direction along with the lads on site because, as I said, without them I’m nothing.”
Former The Oaks site manager Simon Nix received a Pride in the Job Quality Award and a Seal of Excellence for the site: “So no pressure then, but let’s see if we can keep it going,” added Alan.
Matthew Pratt, Group Chief Executive, commented: “It is testament to the fantastic work of our teams across our regions that we’re awarded amongst our peers at such a prestigious national level.
“At Redrow, we’re committed to giving people a better way to live, and that is encapsulated in the drive, determination, and resilience of our colleagues being recognised by these awards.
“I am delighted with these results and wish all of today’s winners the very best of luck for the next round in the autumn.”
NHBC Chief Executive Steve Wood said: “At NHBC we believe that the calibre of the site manager and the way they inspire their site team has the greatest influence on the quality of the finished home. By promoting friendly rivalry, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence, Pride in the Job supports the delivery of homes of the highest quality.”
Congratulating the winners, he added: “They are an inspiration to us all and should be very proud of the quality of new homes they are creating.”
The Quality Award winners will go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2023.
To find out where Redrow is building in the region tap here.
