Double award win for site manager in Bickington
05 Jul 2021

Alan Gilfillan has been awarded a coveted second NHBC (National House Building Council) Pride in Job Quality Award 2021, for building homes of an exceptional quality at Bovis Homes’ Cherry Fields development in Bickington. Pride in the Job is the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry and recognises the UKs top site managers ?" with more than 10,000 competing for the annual awards each year. As well as undergoing spot checks on the day-to-day running of the sites, each candidate is assessed across six key areas of site management, including: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety. Alan has been selected as one of the best site managers in the UK again, joining 450 other Quality Award winners. This represents the top five per cent of those who entered and is testament to their commitment to deliver quality homes for their customers. He earned an NHBC Pride in the Job Award in 2019 and went on to win the next stage that year ?" the Seal of Excellence Award too. Alan, 66, was previously a sergeant major in the British Army’s 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment. After his service he took courses in bricklaying and carpentry before completing his own barn conversion and now has an impressive 19 years’ housebuilding experience. He lives in Prixford and has three children and five grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys working out in the gym in his cottage and playing football. Commenting on the announcement, Alan said: “It’s been a real team effort, I know lots of people say that but it really has been. From the outset I said to everyone on site that the target was to aim for the highest quality and I’m really proud that we’ve won this award. “There were some initial challenges on site but the whole team has pulled together and I couldn’t be happier. The site obviously has to be tidy and well organised but it’s also about leadership and questioning decisions to ensure the best outcome. It’s also all the small things that add up like putting the drawings in each home as you build it to save everyone time and to ensure the home is built exactly as it should be and there are no interpretations. Whenever I finish a property, I walk around it and do all the necessary checks but I also ask myself the basic question: ‘would I be happy to move in?’ and if the answer is yes then I know we’ve done well. “I’ve started working with trainee assistant site managers and I’m really enjoying sharing my knowledge and experience with them. Some site managers asked to view my site as they wanted to get to the next level and it’s very humbling, I felt so pleased to show them around, especially when they went on to win an award too. Perhaps in five to ten years I might like to try progressing my career but for now, I just want to be doing what I love.” “For me, it’s all about the customers being happy. I just love it when customers see their home and burst into tears of happiness, it’s so wonderful to know that you’ve made such an impact.” Managing director, Paul Moran said: “Alan is a brilliant site manager and a great leader, his attention to detail is outstanding and whenever you visit site, you know it’s always going to be immaculate. You can tell he has previous military experience as his site’s are run with military precision and he always goes the extra mile at work and in his personal life, by volunteering as an NHS covid champion worker. “We’re incredibly proud of Alan for winning this award ?" especially at such a challenging time with social distancing and covid regulations ?" competition is fierce and to have won for a second time is phenomenal.” Commenting on the awards, NHBC Chief Executive Steve Wood said: “Pride in the Job has been pivotal in improving the quality of new homes for more than 40 years. Despite the numerous challenges the industry has faced, the very best site managers of 2021 have remained focused on delivering high quality new homes for their customers. “At NHBC we are very proud of Pride in the Job, what it stands for and the impact it has across the sector. Pride in the Job winning sites have higher levels of homeowner satisfaction as these homes are among the very best in the country. “Congratulations to all the 2021 Pride in the Job Quality Award winners ?" be proud of what you are building and the standards you are setting.” The Quality Award winners will now be shortlisted for the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards, which will be announced in autumn. Cherry Fields features a beautiful collection of three and four bedroom new homes in Bickington. Call 01271 552061 or visit www.bovishomes.co.uk for more details.

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