Two Bellway site managers in the North East have each won a prestigious construction industry award.
Mark Watson and Anthony Church have both earned a Pride in the Job Quality Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) in recognition of outstanding work on their developments.
Anthony is the Site Manager at the Abbey Heights development in Callerton. Bellway North East is delivering 124 new homes at the site, off North Walbottle Road.
Mark is the Project Manager at Ottermead at Jameson Manor, in Ponteland, where Bellway is building 184 new homes on the former Northumbria Police HQ site off North Road.
The awards recognise those who achieve the highest standards in construction, with only 443 out of 8,000 site managers across the country being selected to receive the prize this year. The winners will now be considered for the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn.
Anthony, who is 33 and lives in Newton Aycliffe, said: “I joined Bellway in 2020 and they made me Site Manager at Abbey Heights right from the start of the project, after a couple months of learning the ropes at Mark’s development in Ponteland.
“My first job in the industry was as an apprentice joiner in Darlington when I was 17 so I have the experience of being a tradesman behind me. That helps me relate to the trades people on site and keeps my feet on the floor when I am dealing with my team, who are fantastic and have played a big part in this success, particularly my assistant site manager Mark McCormack.
“It is brilliant to win this award, especially as it is my first spell as a Site Manager. I think my attention to detail and intricate planning allows us as a team to stay on track and deliver a top-class site.
“I think the award is recognition of my strong work ethic that shows I am prepared to go the extra mile when required and take enormous pride in my job. Bellway has supported me on my journey so far and I am planning to deliver more success.”
Mark Watson, 42, who lives in Killingworth, said: “I was invited as a guest to these awards last year and it was so intoxicating that I was determined to be the one going up on stage this year – and I will be. It really is a dream come true for me.
“I started in the construction industry 22 years ago as a Bricklayer and knew then I wanted to be a site manager. I wanted to be the one in charge, so I took exams at night school and worked my way up the ladder.
“I joined Bellway seven years ago and was made Project Manager at the prestigious Ottermead at Jameson Manor development on day one in 2018. It is a beautiful development, with listed buildings, wooded areas and a stream running through it.
“It is really hard to win this award as everything at the development has to be spot on, rather than it just looking great. This means you have to set the highest standards and lead by example but also surround yourself with a good team you can trust to get things right.
“An experienced assistant is essential and Shaun Donaldson has been working with me on this development for three years and has played a vital role in helping me get the best out of the team. My Construction Manager Ben Singlewood is always there to help anytime of the day as well.
“You have to have a clean compound, a well-run office and strive for excellence at all times. Only the best will do for me and that is what I think wins awards like this. It feels so good that I want to win this award with my team again next year.”
Daniel Walker, Construction Director for Bellway North East, said: “For our site managers, winning an NHBC award in any year is rewarding, but this year has been a special achievement in such challenging circumstances, ensuring our building sites are kept to the highest standards we set ourselves at Bellway, and keeping our customers and local residents happy with the work we are doing across those sites.
“Both Mark and Anthony and their teams have consistently demonstrated their excellence in delivering new homes to our customers over the past 12 months and Bellway is extremely proud of and grateful for their efforts, resulting in the Quality Award they have been deservingly given by NHBC. We would wish both of them all the very best for the next stage of the NHBC awards this year, as they progress to the Seal of Excellence phase of judging.”
There‘s a selection of two and three-bedroom homes available to reserve at Abbey Heights, with prices from £189,995. To learn more, call 0191 448 7145 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-east/abbey-heights.
Ottermead at Jameson Manor currently has a choice of three and four-bedroom homes available to reserve with price starting at £373,995. For more information, call the sales team on 0191 379 0320 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/north-east/ottermead-at-jameson-manor.
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- Pride in the Job Quality Award winner Anthony Church at Bellway North East’s Abbey Heights development in Callerton, where he is site manager
- Pride in the Job Quality Award winner Mark Watson at Bellway North East’s Ottermead at Jameson Manor in Ponteland, where he is site manager