Raising standards to protect homeowners
Nearly a year on, what winning a 2008 Supreme Award meant to Tony Armson of William Davis
Tony Armson of William Davis won the 2008 Supreme Award for his management of new homes site Cawston Fields, near Rugby. Tony's Supreme Award was in the Medium Builder category.
Nearly a year on, Tony reflects on what it meant to win the Supreme Award:
"Winning the Supreme Award was like finally finding the Holy Grail! As a previous Pride in the Job Regional Winner, I'd knocked on the door a few times and was starting to wonder whether it would ever happen. When it did, it was enormous. I was so proud of what the team had achieved."
Tony has worked in the building industry for 37 years. Like him, his father and son both served their brick-laying apprenticeships with the Davis family firm and so it was particularly satisfying for Tony to win the award for a William Davis site:
"I was more delighted for the company and for the workforce than I was for myself. For William Davis to win a Supreme Award for one of their sites after all their years of trading was so satisfying. They're a traditional family builder, we take our time and make sure the quality is right and that's exactly what is recognised by Pride in the Job."
And Tony is also quick to recognise the contribution of his on-site team:
"The Award was for the team really. What the guys at Cawston Fields have achieved in nine years is amazing. 8 Quality Awards, 7 Seals of Excellence, 3 Regional Awards and then the Supreme Award. The guys don't get paid any more if we win an award, when they go the extra mile it's voluntary and out of goodwill. They do it for the pride of achievement. I work hard for them and they work hard for me."
Winning the award has also helped William Davis in marketing their Cawston Fields Development. News of Tony's achievement was published on the company's website and Tony says that customers visiting the site often say they've read about him winning a lot of awards and so are expecting very high quality homes!
Tony is a modest man, keen to share his success with his employer and site team, but Pride in the Job Awards are for Site Managers and Tony has proved he's one of the best in the industry. Bob Jones, one of the external Pride in the Job Supreme judges says:
"You cannot fault Tony's workmanship - he has established some of the best quality checking systems around - and his exceptional eye for detail is evident in the high-quality new homes he produces."
And Tony has thrown down the gauntlet for this year's competition:
"I approach the building of houses every day as though we are going to be assessed for Pride in the Job. There is no doubt that this competition encourages site managers and teams to raise standards, not to mention rallying some healthy local competition. I know how good my team are and how hard we work. If you beat our site you must be very good and I'll take my hat off to you!"