Persimmon boss returns to shop floor for charity

Nigel Greenaway, Chief Executive Officer for Persimmon Homes South Division will be returning to grass routes level this Friday 05 October. As part of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s nationwide Back to the Shop Floor fundraising event, Nigel has been sponsored by his colleagues to swap his usual desk job and return to his first construction role as an apprentice carpenter.

Nigel’s current day to day role involves overseeing the management and profitability of Persimmon’s South Division which encompasses twelve regional companies including Persimmon Homes, Charles Church, Westbury Partnerships and Space4 in an area spanning from Lands End to Kent and as far north as Birmingham, including South Wales.

On Friday, Nigel will be spending the day at The Willow’s development in Westbury, where Persimmon’s specialist timber framed division Space4 is currently constructing a range of new homes. Under the guidance of site manager Digby Gardner, Nigel’s alternative schedule as a carpenter will include assembling a first floor cassette, lifting roof trusses and helping complete the first fix stage of a property’s construction.

Speaking about the challenge Nigel commented: “Back to the Shop Floor will be the first time I have worked onsite for 30 years so it will certainly be interesting to see how techniques have changed since I entered the industry and also how site life has evolved. Our Space4 division produces fast track, off site manufactured timber construction systems and I am very intrigued to see how this has impacted upon the way our carpenters work and the overall efficiency of our site teams.

“Whilst this is a fun and creative way of raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care there is a serious side to Back to the Shop Floor. The charity provides expert nursing care for many people across the region and if they are to continue, it’s vital they receive ongoing funding. It’s rewarding to know we will be playing a part in helping to boost their fundraising appeal.”

Sponsored by Persimmon Homes and based on the BBC Television series ’Back to the Floor’, Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Back to the Shop Floor initiative aims to encourage CEO’s and other senior managers to spend the day, or some part of it, performing a task or role which would not normally be part of their everyday routine. This could involve taking on the role of their less senior colleagues and employees. Customers and suppliers are asked to sponsor those who participate with all money raised donated to the charity. Marie Curie Cancer Care aims to raise £250,000 via this year’s event.