Collaboration and consistency - a winning combination for Pride in the Job success

Building quality through leadership 

For Andy Leonard, Senior Site Manager at housing association Orbit, delivering quality homes starts long before the first brick is laid.  

It's about setting clear expectations, leading by example and creating a culture where everyone takes pride in getting things right first time. 

That commitment has been recognised with a prestigious NHBC Pride in the Job award – one of the house-building industry's highest accolades. 

Andy said: “Quality is about thinking beyond the bricks and mortar of the homes and what we can do to create the very best experience for the customers that will move into them.  

 “It’s about the whole site team holding ourselves accountable to the very highest standards in house building from the start and leaving no stone unturned throughout the build process.” 

A combined effort 

Andy believes great homes are built by great teams. 

 From site managers and subcontractors to suppliers and inspectors, everyone plays a role in achieving consistently high standards.  

 Through clear communication, attention to detail and a shared commitment to excellence, he has created a site culture where quality is never compromised. 

 Andy said: “Teamwork is everything on site; none of us can build these homes on our own, so it comes down to the great amount of work, consistency and dedication that every person puts into playing their part. 

 “I’m very grateful to have a team of colleagues and contractor partners here at Micklewell Park that have gone above and beyond to create a right-first-time culture for us throughout every process of building a new home. 

 “By working closely together we’re able to build to the highest possible quality and safety standards, while learning from each other to help deliver homes our customers can be proud to live in. 

Working in partnership 

 Andy sees NHBC as more than an inspection body. 

 Regular engagement with his NHBC inspector provides constructive challenges, technical guidance and reassurance throughout the build process.  

 By working collaboratively, potential issues can be identified early, helping maintain consistency and deliver better outcomes for customers. 

 “Working with NHBC gives us access to a wealth of knowledge across the construction process. 

 “With industry expectations and the Building Standards always changing, the NHBC team is an especially valuable resource that gives us the expert attention to deal and technical guidance that we need.  

 “Our teams and contractor partners especially value the opportunities to join NHBC for its Masterclasses, which help us continue learning about new standards when they come in – and most importantly, how to put them into practice at site.’ 

Continuous progress 

 Winning recognition through Pride in the Job is far from the culmination of Andy’s efforts. 

 Instead, it gives him all the more motivation to keep improving. 

He remains focused on developing his team, sharing best practice and continuing to raise standards across every development. 

Andy said: “My main advice to site managers out there is that teamwork is absolutely everything.  

“Working closely throughout and learning from each other is the best way to ensure that the homes we build represent the very highest of standards in house building and live up to the pride we all take in our jobs. 

“It’s also really important to set your own standards with all of your contractor partners and supply chain right at the very start of the job – you want to make sure everyone is really involved from the beginning of the journey and knows their role in delivering the very best.” 

The Pride in the Job competition recognises site managers who consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership, quality and attention to detail, celebrating those raising standards across the industry.