YORK-headquartered housebuilder Persimmon has launched a new awards scheme to recognise construction excellence at its developments.

Persimmon Homes' Group construction director Andrew Fuller said the business had undertaken a major operational review over the past two years to create a framework, the Persimmon Way, for construction and customer care quality.

“To demonstrate its importance we are now thrilled to announce the first annual Construction Excellence Awards to acknowledge and celebrate the construction teams that have embraced the Persimmon Way with a whole-hearted commitment towards delivering the very best build quality and customer service.

“These awards will identify those site teams that have demonstrated initiative and outstanding management skills, encouraging everyone involved on their development to excel.”

Independent quality controllers (IQCs) have been appointed to assess each plot under construction at key stages and only allow work to continue if Persimmon’s higher standards have been met.

These IQCs, together with senior management and directors, will consider site management teams across a rigorous set of criteria and only those that exceed the highest quality standards will be nominated for Persimmon’s Construction Excellence Awards.

In the first round, each of Persimmon’s 31 operating businesses will select its very best site management team to represent its region.

These will then compete to be named the top team in their division before overall gold, silver and bronze winners are announced by Persimmon Group chief executive Dean Finch.

Andrew added: “We want to celebrate the people who take personal ownership of their work, taking genuine pride in the homes they hand over to our valued customers.

“Persimmon employs more than 5,000 people and we are determined to celebrate when each and every one of them plays their part in creating beautiful homes for this generation and the next.”

Site teams considered for the Construction Excellence Awards will have demonstrated achievement in areas such as clear communication to tradespeople, inspiring their workforce with a can-do attitude, supporting staff training, proactive liaison with IQCs and warranty providers, build efficiency and quality, ongoing personal training and development, implementing good practice and safety standards and delivering positive customer care and after sales service.