Diversity and imagination earns award for Redrow

Developer Redrow has been named ‘Housebuilding Innovator of the Year' for a combination of its regeneration work, community involvement, marketing and training initiatives. The accolade was announced at the 2008 Housebuilding Innovation Awards, which recognise companies for demonstrating a commitment to innovation in the housing industry.

Redrow's overall success came as it won two individual awards and had three other initiatives shortlisted, earning praise for its "outstandingly innovative and imaginative work across the industry".

Looking for companies whose work was setting an example to others, judges commented: "Some very impressive entries were received for the large housebuilder category, but Redrow took the prize for its work in regeneration and partnering with the public sector, community involvement, training and marketing. An all-round winner."

In individual categories, Redrow's collaboration with English Partnerships to revitalise a neglected area of Devonport, Plymouth was voted the best regeneration partnership between a developer and the public sector; and also won The Community Award for its efforts to consult with and engage local people.

Redrow enterprises also accounted for two of the six shortlisted entries in the best training / staff initiative category - including a scheme to ‘home grow' future site managers through an ambitious assistant site manager development programme, which combines Redrow's own tailor-made accreditation with the nationally recognised NVQ level three.

And the company's ‘re:assure' campaign, aimed at overcoming obstacles to home buying, was one of five singled out for consideration in the marketing category.

Devised by Housebuilder magazine and the Home Builders Federation (HBF), and run in partnership with NHBC (National House-Building Council), the Housebuilding Innovation Awards are supported by government, which views them as an aid to raising standards.

Redrow's chief executive Neil Fitzsimmons commented: "These are key industry awards, pitching us against all of the country's major and specialist housebuilders. To win two individual trophies and the main innovator title is extremely pleasing and reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams around the UK."

Revitalising the historic site of Devonport, which suffered world war two bombing and insensitive post-war housing development, impressed judges enough to win two awards. Working alongside English Partnerships, Redrow is creating ‘Vision', a mixed-use neighbourhood of 460 homes - more than 100 of which will be available for rent or shared ownership - and offices, shops and community facilities.

Judges said: "Vision @ Devonport wowed the judges with the scheme's sheer scale, scope and range. Described as a ‘classic regeneration scheme with significant risk', the partnership will see a wide ranging community being created over six years."

The panel also praised Redrow for going out of its way to recognise how important Devonport was to the community and how vital it was to involve local people in the regeneration scheme. "Particularly pleasing was the involvement of the community in the demolition of the three metre high security wall that had surrounded the site for more than 50 years," they added.

Redrow has around 100 new homes developments in the UK, offering a mix of first time buyer properties, city apartments, family housing and luxury homes. Further details of homes for sale are available online at Redrow.co.uk.