Devon site manager wins prestigious national award
A Devon site manager is celebrating after receiving a prestigious award for his work at a local housing development.
Chris Spencer, a Site Manager from Devon, received the National House Building Council (NHBC) Pride in the Job Quality Award for excellence in on-site management at David Wilson’s Hampton Mill in Okehampton.
For more than 40 years, the NHBC’s Pride in the Job scheme has been dedicated to recognising the industry’s very best performers and is a prestigious accolade that site managers aspire to achieve.
To receive the award, site managers must score highly in all areas of build and site management including quality of workmanship, technical expertise, health and safety and leadership. Judges look for meticulous attention to detail and the special qualities and attributes that set the best site managers apart from the rest.
Chris Spencer started his career as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager on the Armed Forces Transition Programme. Always intrigued by the housebuilding sector, Chris was keen to bring his transferable skills from his military background to a career in construction.
In addition to Chris’s win, David Wilson Bristol has picked up a further five NHBC awards for site managers across its region.
Sharing advice to others deciding their future careers, Chris said: “Soak up as much knowledge from those around you and remember every day is a school day – there’s always something new to learn, and sometimes that something can be an alternative career.”
Chris landed his first official role as a site manager seven years ago and became a project manager two years ago. He has been working with David Wilson for 10 years now.
Commenting on his award win, Chris said: “I've really enjoyed my time at David Wilson and have embraced the new challenges that have come with it. Quality is at the heart of everything we do, and it's a great feeling to have that hard work acknowledged with an award.
“This recognition is something I’ve been working towards for a long time and it’s incredibly rewarding to achieve it for a second time. That said, a site manager is only ever as strong as the team around them — and I’m fortunate to have an exceptional team by my side. This award is as much theirs as it is mine."
Kevin White, Construction Director at David Wilson Bristol, said: “Since he joined us 10 years ago, Chris’s contribution to our developments has been nothing short of extraordinary, so we’re thrilled that his hard work has been recognised by the NHBC.
“His passion and commitment shines through everything he does, so it’s no surprise to see him winning this award.
“The Pride in the Job Award is something all site managers want to win, so for David Wilson Bristol to receive six awards this year really is a wonderful achievement and thoroughly deserved – well done Chris!”
Hampton Mill is perfectly placed on the outskirts of Okehampton, with shops, restaurants and schools within easy reach. With Dartmoor National Park right on the doorstep, activities will be endless for residents. Nearby rail services take commuters to Exeter in 40 minutes, while the drive only takes 20 minutes. This development has been designed with sustainability in mind. Not only are the houses built with energy-saving features, but around the development are bird boxes, bee bricks and hedgehog highways.
To find out more about Hampton Mill, please visit www.dwh.co.uk/hampton-mill.
