Double honours at housebuilding industry awards

Two site managers from a Scottish firm have scooped some of the construction industry’s most coveted awards in recognition of their outstanding work.

CALA Homes was celebrating at the NHBC Pride in the Job Regional Awards, held at Glasgow’s Hilton to acknowledge the pinnacle of housebuilding standards in Scotland.

For CALA Homes (North), Fred Anderson was recognised for his work at CALA at Grandhome, in Aberdeen, with a Seal of Excellence.

Ian Welsh, senior site manager with CALA Homes (East), was also rewarded with a Seal of Excellence for his work at Mayburn Park, Straiton.

Adding to the success from the night, Ian also scooped one of four highly-prized Regional Awards, (for the Large Builder category) and will now be entered into the final stage of the awards process, representing Scotland at the Supreme Awards held in London early next year.

Kevin Whitaker, chief executive for CALA Homes, praised the managers on their commitment to setting and maintaining the highest standards.

He said: ‘To be awarded any of the Pride in the Job accolades is testimony to the hard work, dedication and high standards set by all of the CALA team.

‘That includes the leadership of the site manager, with the first class support of all our subcontractor trades, as well as all the staff involved with the successful development of the site.

‘We are very pleased for Ian and Fred for obtaining the Seal of Excellence, this recognises their own high standard and skills. Ian’s further achievement in winning a regional prize is exceptional.

CALA senior site manager Ian Welsh at Mayburn Park, Straiton

‘For the second year in a row CALA will have one of our talented site managers representing Scotland at the Supreme Awards, up against the very best developments and professionals in the UK.’

Earlier this year 11 of CALA Homes’ project managers across the UK were recognised with Pride in the Job awards. This put them in contention for the Seal of Excellence awards, which are then awarded to a very small number of site managers following a number of intensive site visits.

Ian Welsh said: ‘I must thank the teams on site for sticking resolutely to the highest possible standards. At times the site has been challenging with steep slopes requiring a lot of skilled work.

‘The subcontractors we use all understand the importance of our approach to quality and health and safety. They have proven themselves throughout as professionals working at the highest level.

‘I’m delighted to pick up this accolade and now look forward to representing Cala East and Scotland at the next stage.’

Mayburn Park at Straiton is situated five miles south of Edinburgh’s vibrant city centre. A collection of spacious 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes from CALA’s award-winning Signature Collection offers the epitome of stylish, contemporary family living.

CALA at Grandhome is a collection of 3 and 4 bedroom homes and one and 2 bedroom apartments.

The landmark development will ultimately see the creation of a brand-new urban location within Bridge of Don, with future phases of the overall Grandhome development plan to include new schools, health centre, parks and recreational space.

Organised by NHBC, the UK’s leading new home warranty insurance provider, Pride in the Job is one of the most highly regarded competition in the house building industry dedicated to recognising site managers and their construction teams who achieve the highest standards in house building. It has been instrumental in driving up the quality of new homes for 38 years.

Following the conclusion of the NHBC Pride in the Job Regional Awards ceremonies, the winners of the UK Supreme Awards will be announced at a gala ceremony in London in January 2019.