Cook’s Shipyard manager honoured with top award
Neil Gleeson scoops his third NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award for his commitment to providing high-quality new homes in Essex and outstanding customer service at Taylor Wimpey’s Cook’s Shipyard development.
Taylor Wimpey Senior Site Manager Neil Gleeson M.C.I.O.B has made it a hat-trick of national awards for his hard work at the leading housebuilder’s Cook’s Shipyard development of apartments and houses for sale in Essex.
It is the third time that Neil has received the National House-Building Council’s (NHBC) prestigious Pride in the Job Quality Award since he’s worked at the waterside development of Essex flats and houses in Wivenhoe, near Colchester.
The award is a tribute to the hard work Neil has put into co-ordinating the construction of property for sale in Essex and customer satisfaction at Cook’s Shipyard, and is confirmation of the high standard of craftsmanship which goes into such a prestigious development.
“It’s fantastic to get an award which recognises all the hard work you put into different areas of the job, but perhaps the most pleasing aspect of it all is being recognised for good man-management,” says the 42-year-old from Ipswich.
“I’d describe my style as ‘a friendly pain in the backside’! I allow the people on site to get on with their jobs. It may sound simple, but you have to treat people with respect, and that brings the best out of them, and makes it a productive and happy site.”
Neil and his team have shown particular skill when it comes to converting a former shipyard on the banks of the River Colne into a stunning waterside development.
“It’s certainly been different,” he says. “The project has thrown up so many challenges, as it’s a brownfield site with particular logistical problems, such as being surrounded by water and at the end of a road system that is centuries old.
“We’ve not just had to demolish old buildings, but slipways into the river too and refurbished an existing steel and concrete jetty. The build itself hasn’t been straightforward because all the apartments are one-off, bespoke designs.
“It’s been challenging, and I’ve needed the right people for the job, and I’m pleased to say we’ve had them and the end result is stunning.”
So stunning, in fact, that Neil is envious of the people who snap up an apartment at Cook’s Shipyard.
“It’s got it all,” he says. “The apartments themselves are beautiful, with great views, and who wouldn’t be impressed by the peaceful life waterside living gives you?
“The area is full of history, and while our apartments are new, the buildings have been designed to be in keeping with their surroundings.”
Neil says the challenge of managing such a prestigious development has been the pinnacle of his career – which stretches back to 1984 when he left school to work with a local general builder.
He’s seen many advances in the house-building trade over the past quarter of a century, which the customers of today are benefiting from when they purchase a new-build home with Taylor Wimpey.
“The trade has become so much more professional over the years,” he says. “The constant upgrading of building regulations has helped, plus the importance of health and safety.
“But customer care also plays a major part in the trade today. That’s something I pride myself on and think it’s something Taylor Wimpey is particularly good at.”
Away from work, Neil is a keen motorcyclist, and has no less than six bikes at his Ipswich home to choose from for his 45-minute commute!
Set on the banks of the River Colne, homes at Cook’s Shipyard have been sympathetically designed to complement the historic surroundings of this picturesque rivermouth village location and reflect Wivenhoe’s traditional, maritime architecture, with a pleasing blend of pastel weatherboard, soft red brickwork and Trespa panelling.
Selected properties at Cook’s Shipyard are available with the easymover scheme and all the new apartments and live/work units – properties comprising a spacious home with a business unit – are completed to a high standard specification to include a fitted kitchen, with selected plots enjoying access to private balconies or terraces. All properties benefit from a garage or allocated parking.
Prices range from just £159,995 for a one-bedroom apartment to only £249,995 for a gorgeous two-bedroom design with en-suite master bedroom and a beautiful balcony to the living/dining room.
Part of the regeneration of the former docklands at Wivenhoe, Taylor Wimpey’s Cook’s Shipyard development lies within a new community which will also comprise places of work and leisure opportunities set around the water’s edge.
The waterfront setting offers the opportunity to relax and watch pretty fishing boats and yachts pass by, while quaint narrow lanes lead to restaurants and bistros serving fresh local seafood, plus an enchanting range of independent shops, bakeries and boutiques selling fine foods, clothing, gifts and beautiful homeware.
Wivenhoe Sailing Club is close to the development, offering mooring opportunities whilst hosting races and many other events all year round, while walkers will enjoy the riverside footpaths out to the sea shore or to the vibrant and cultural town of Colchester just three miles upstream, where a wider choice of shopping, leisure facilities and schools are located.
Although the pace and quality of life at this sought-after location in Wivenhoe is restful, it’s also a very well-connected town, with Wivenhoe station just a short walk away from the development, offering direct rail services into London Liverpool Street in as little as 69 minutes.
The development also benefits from close proximity to the A12, putting the M25 within easy reach. For international travel, Stansted Airport is only 35 miles from the door.
A range of attractions can be found in the area, including the world-famous Beth Chatto Gardens, Constable’s Flatford Mill and the National Trust’s Paycocke’s at Coggeshall.
To find out more about homes at Cook’s Shipyard, customers can visit the Sales Centre, located off Anglesea Road, Wivenhoe, and open Thursday to Monday from 10am until 5.30pm.
