Cardiff’s Mark O’Neill has been named one of UK’s best construction managers for his role creating an award-winning city homes development.
Build manager Mark – who works for city-based housebuilder Lovell – has achieved a Pride in the Job 2018 Quality Award for his exceptional work at The Mill, a brand-new riverside community of 800 homes under construction in Canton, west Cardiff.
The Pride in the Job awards – organised by the NHBC (National House-Building Council) – are the highest industry accolade a site manager can receive. This year’s winners represent the top three per cent of the 16,000 construction professionals entered into the competition. Only 25 managers in Wales were selected for the honour.
Mark, whose home in Llandaff is very close to The Mill, comments: “To receive this level of recognition from such an important industry body is definitely one of the proudest moments in my career. It’s something I could never have achieved without the continuing support and talent of the team working alongside me on site at The Mill; their dedication to creating homes which deliver the highest quality standards are the reason this scheme has been such a success with homebuyers.” Mark’s award is the latest win for the development which earlier this year received the Best First Time Buyer Family Home title at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards.
One of Wales’ largest regeneration programmes, The Mill is being delivered by a partnership of Lovell, the Tirion Group and Cadwyn Housing Association. The land was acquired and remediated by Tirion with support from the Welsh Government and financial backing from the Principality Building Society. Overall, it will create 358 homes for open market sale through Lovell and 442 homes for Tirion which will be managed by Cadwyn Housing Association and will be available for discounted or social rent.
Lovell regional managing director Kate Rees says: “It takes a very special manager to earn a Pride in the Job Quality award. Mark has been instrumental in the success of The Mill and I’m thrilled to see his dedication, drive and exceptional ability rewarded by the NHBC.”
To win a Pride in the Job Award, construction managers have to excel during a rigorous judging process looking at all aspects of their management of a development including standards of workmanship, welfare of staff, leadership skills, technical expertise and health and safety.
Mark will find out if he is through to the competition’s next stage at the Wales Pride in the Job lunch on 14 September at Cardiff City Hall when he will compete for a Seal of Excellence and Regional Award.
NHBC chief executive Steve Wood says: “Pride in the Job recognises the hugely important role site managers play in delivering high quality new homes for residents and homeowners across the UK. Their role is undoubtedly one of the toughest in housebuilding, they really do make the difference to quality on site. Many congratulations to all of the 2018 Quality Award winners.”
The show homes and marketing suite at The Mill are open seven days a week, from 10am to 5pm at The Mill, Canton, Cardiff CF11 8DH. Alternatively, to find out more, please contact the Lovell sales team on 02920 606 766 or go visit the website.
