A site manager from Oxfordshire has been recognised for his proven dedication and making his mark as one of the best in the UK after winning a NHBC Pride in the Job Award.

Craig Hodge, who works for Deanfield Homes at its Deanfield Green development in East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire, is celebrating having received a Quality Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) Pride in the Job Awards.

Running for 43 years, the accolade (awarded by the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider) is the most highly regarded in the house-building industry and a prestigious benchmark for exceptional site managers. With only 443 winners selected out of over 8,000 entrants across the UK, the recipients are among the country’s best house builders.

Commenting on the win, Deanfield Homes Manager Director Peter Blades said: “We are over the moon for Craig. This accolade is a prestigious benchmark for remarkable site managers across the UK and is very well deserved, it’s a testament to the consistent high standards and hard work that has been delivered by the entire team at Deanfield Green. Craig has an outstanding work ethic and an unwavering commitment to building the highest quality homes for our customers. His invaluable work and dedication are a credit to Deanfield Homes.”

Celebrating his success, Craig said: “I’m delighted to have won the NHBC Pride in the Job award. Winning feels rewarding for both myself and the whole team who have helped to make the site what it is today. Knowing that we are delivering high quality homes to very happy customers makes the effort put in by myself and my colleagues at Deanfield Homes worthwhile.”

Judging for the awards is rigorous, with the current competition beginning in July last year. Each site manager is assessed across six key areas: consistency; attention to detail; leadership; interpretation of drawings and specifications; technical expertise; and health and safety. Thousands of site inspections and meticulous scoring and verifications have taken place to decide upon the winning site managers.

Commenting on the awards, Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC, said: “Congratulations to all the winners who should feel proud to have received a Pride in the Job Award. Pride in the Job is firmly at the heart of NHBC’s mission to raise standards in the housing industry. It is important we recognise the vital role site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards. This accolade recognises the best site managers across the UK and celebrates how much Craig has inspired his team by going the extra mile to deliver homes of the highest quality.”

The flagship competition has three categories for different sized businesses: small; medium; and large house builders; a multi-storey category where site managers are working on projects up to seven storeys for multiple occupancy; and finally the high-rise category for multiple occupancy projects over seven storeys.

The Quality Award winners will now go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2024.