Daventry site manager wins top award for raising standards in house building
The Central region’s best site managers have been recognised for their dedication to raising standards in house building after winning top awards in the most highly regarded competition in the housing industry.
Organised by the National House Building Council (NHBC), the UK’s largest provider of new home warranties and insurance, the prestigious Pride in the Job Awards 2025 crowned three regional winners at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on Friday 7 November 2025:
Medium builder category – Andy Leonard of Orbit Homes Limited for his work at Micklewell Park in Daventry
Large builder category – Alan Holmes of Bellway Homes North Home Counties for his work at New Cardington Gate in Bedford
High-rise category – Gary Brinkman of Hill for his work at The Icon in Stevenage
As well as their category wins, Mr Leonard, Mr Holmes and Mr Brinkman were awarded a Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence. A further 12 site managers from across the region were also awarded this accolade after they gained a Quality Award in the first round of the competition in June. They were:
Sam Harding of Barratt and David Wilson Homes in Bedford
Michael Crake of Bellway Homes North Home Counties in Leighton Buzzard
Cymon Robinson of Bellway Homes North Home Counties in Desborough
Dan St Hilaire of Bellway Homes North Home Counties in Cardington
Rick Sims of Bloor Homes South Midlands in Northampton
Don Davidson of Croudace Homes in Reading
Kelvin Rahilly of Croudace Homes in Milton Keynes
William Yates of Persimmon Homes Midlands in Moulton
Henry Goodall of Redrow Homes South Midlands in Aylesbury
Martin Cooper of Taylor Wimpey West London in Ascot
Matt Harris of Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties in Didcot
Daniel Storey of Vistry Central Home Counties in Bishop's Stortford
Now in its 45th year and widely considered the ‘Oscars’ of the house-building industry, Pride in the Job celebrates site managers’ dedication to raising standards in house building, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence. Judging is rigorous, with assessment across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.
Pride in the Job has five categories: small, medium and large builders, plus multi-storey for projects up to seven storeys and high-rise for projects more than seven storeys.
Commenting on the Awards, Toby Phillips, NHBC Regional Director for the Central region said: “Congratulations to all the winners. They have demonstrated the dedication, passion and leadership skills necessary to deliver new homes to exacting construction quality standards.
“Thousands of outstanding site managers have made their mark on the industry in the 45 years Pride in the Job has been running. This continued focus on excellence is vital to support the Government’s 1.5 million new homes target and to ensure that all housing isbuilt to the quality owners and occupiers should expect.”
A series of regional events are taking place throughout the UK to announce the Regional and Seal of Excellence Award winners and celebrate the achievements of the Quality Award recipients.
Mr Leonard, Mr Holmes and Mr Brinkman will now go forward to compete for the ultimate prize in house building, the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards, which will be unveiled at a gala ceremony in London in January 2026.