Barratt site manager is best in Midlands

A Barratt site manager is the best in the Midlands after being named regional Seal of Excellence winner in the National House Building Council (NHBC) Pride in the Job awards, large builder category. 36-year-old Jamie Bishop from Cannock received the accolade for his work at Barratt West Midlands’ Edenside development in Wednesbury. He beat off 12 other Midlands Seal of Excellence winners, including a second Barratt site manager, to be named regional winner in his category.

One regional winner from each of the three size categories from across the country will now compete in the ultimate stage of the competition - the Supreme Awards announced in January - where the NHBC will name one man from each size band as the best site manager in the country.

Jamie, who started his career in construction at the age of 16 as a trainee roof tiler, beat off stiff competition from site managers across the Midlands including a Barratt colleague. Carl Gough, 42, also from Cannock also received a Seal of Excellence for his work at the Hazelmere development in Tivedale.

Barratt’s Managing Director Adrian Farr says, “We are extremely proud of both Jamie and Carl who have led their respective site teams to success. The Pride in the Job competition is the benchmark for quality in construction and we are thrilled that not one but two of our managers have achieved the Seal of Excellence award. This is an excellent result and one which inspire confidence in our buyers.

“We also congratulate Jamie on his regional win, an exceptional achievement, which we hope will lead to greater success when the Supreme Awards are announced early next year.”

The Pride in the Job awards are the most coveted in the industry, often referred to as the Oscars of construction. Now in its 27th year, it is the only national competition that focuses on the site manager’s role in producing high quality new homes. Judging takes place all year round and scores are given across 38 different areas of site management including technical knowledge, consistency in the build process, leadership and organisational skills.

Jamie Bishop

Jamie, who has a passion for jet skiing, has worked for Barratt Homes since 2004 and in the industry for 16 years. He is an accredited site manager having passed NVQ Level 4 in Construction Site Management. He was successful in the first round of the NHBC awards in 2006, winning a Pride in the Job award for his work at Barratt’s Elizabeth Gardens development in Warley, West Midlands.

He says, “Winning anything in the NHBC’s Pride in the Job competition is the ultimate reward in our business and I am so proud to have received the regional title as well. I love to see the finished product completed and being able to hand it over to the new owners, knowing that it was my team who crafted it from scratch is very satisfying.

“Customer appreciation is key in our job and when you consider that a new home is probably the most money a person will ever spend in their lifetime, it is really important that we get it perfect, not just right, first time.”

Carl Gough

Carl has been a site manager since 1990 and has worked in the industry for 18 years. His working life began as a scaffolder’s mate, despite his father who also worked in construction, advising him not to choose the same career path! This is the first time Carl’s work has been recognised in the Pride in the Job competition. He says, “My father told me not to go into the building trade because of the hard work and unforgiving working conditions, which often sees us battling the weather to meet deadlines! However I love my job and take pride in everything I do.

“For me one of the most important aspects of my role as site manager is being able to lead others. I could not have achieved the Seal of Excellence without my team, especially my assistant site manager Roy Howard who I hope will follow in my stead.

“It’s so important that construction skills are recognised and our trades are respected. I wish Jamie the best of luck and hope that next year there will be even more Barratt site managers in the running!”