Vistry site manager wins Quality Award for homes delivered to Sovereign Network Group

Exeter site manager Tom Barnett has won a prestigious NHBC (National House Building Council) Pride in the Job Quality Award 2024 for building homes of exceptional quality at Vistry’s Alphington development for Sovereign Network Group (SNG).

Running for 44 years, Pride in the Job recognises the UKs top site managers – with around 8,000 competing for the awards each year. As well as undergoing spot checks on the day-to-day running of the sites, each candidate is assessed across all areas of site management, including their technical knowledge, consistency in the build process and the quality controls they have in place.

Tom, 37, is responsible for delivering 101 homes in Alphington, including play parks, public open space and attenuation basins. Due to be completed in summer 2025, the homes have all been pre-sold to SNG and include 60 per cent shared ownership properties and 40 per cent for rent.

With 15 years’ housebuilding experience and a building surveying degree at UWE Bristol, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. He started his career as a materials controller, before being promoted to assistant site manager and then site manager. He has also gained professional recognition as a chartered construction manager through the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building).

Tom lives in Exeter with his wife and two young daughters and loves paddleboarding and surfing in his spare time. Speaking about his award win, the Vistry site manager commented: “I am delighted to have won a Quality Award. Building great quality homes and seeing happy customers move in is what it’s all about!

“I have a brilliant team on site, supported by assistant site manager Mike Pugh and they’re all hardworking and loyal, enabling us to maintain consistency – which is key. The work for our subcontractors is reliable and steady, so it’s a desirable site. We’re all passionate about delivering high quality homes and when a high standard has been achieved at the very beginning, it’s much it’s easier to maintain those levels throughout the build. I really hope we can win the next stage – the Seal of Excellence – that would mean so much to us!”

Matt Hill, regional build director at Vistry Devon South West, commented: “Tom is a fantastic site manager and it’s testament to his leadership skills that the team works so well together. They have a clear understanding of what’s required and the attention to detail is outstanding. He has been named as one of the best site managers in the UK and Tom fully deserves this accolade – I’m sure it will be the first of many awards!”

Sue Gresswell, head of sales – West at Sovereign Network Group, said: “I’d like to congratulate Tom on his thoroughly deserved win. His commitment to producing quality, sustainable homes for residents has been evident throughout the construction process. We’re sure this development will thrive for decades to come, and we look forward to welcoming our residents to their new homes.”

The Quality Award winners will now be shortlisted for the Seal of Excellence Awards, which will be announced in autumn.

For more information visit www.vistrygroup.co.uk and www.sng.org.uk