Buying a new home is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is about having confidence that every detail has been carefully considered, every stage has been expertly managed and the place you choose to call home has been built to endure.

At Wixams, that commitment to quality has recently been recognised with one of the housebuilding industry’s most respected accolades. Site Manager Andy Webb has received an NHBC Pride in the Job Award, placing him among the top-performing site managers in the country.

The award recognises exceptional standards in site management, build quality and leadership. For our homeowners, it provides further reassurance that the care invested behind the scenes is reflected in every Hopkins home delivered at Wixams.

Recognition built on consistency

Andy discovered he had received the award while attending an online training course from home.

“I was learning about how construction work can affect the environment when an email from the NHBC appeared on screen. It felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.”

Being recognised among the top 5% of site managers is an important personal achievement, as well as a significant moment for the wider region.

“To be one of the top 5% of site managers recognised is a huge personal achievement. I’m proud to have helped deliver the region’s first winner, and hopefully we can aim for two next year and continue building from there.”

While the announcement may have arrived in a single moment, the achievement reflects the consistency, discipline and attention to detail demonstrated throughout the build.

Exacting standards at every stage

Award-winning homes are not created during the final inspection. They are shaped by thousands of decisions made throughout the construction process, from the first foundations to the final finishing touches.

For Andy and the team, maintaining rigorous standards at every stage is fundamental.

“We have a rigorous process throughout the build to ensure we are handing over the best possible home to our customers.”

As the first dual-branded development operated by one site team, Wixams brought a new set of responsibilities. Establishing a new team while delivering homes for both Hopkins Homes and Tilia Homes created added pressure, but it also encouraged a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

“Being a new site team and managing two brands meant we had some hiccups early on, but it is how we have worked through those challenges that has put us in a stronger position and helped ensure the highest standards are being met.”

Every lesson has helped refine the team’s approach, reinforcing the precision and care required to deliver homes worthy of the Hopkins name.

Designed with quality in every detail

Build quality is only part of what gives a home lasting appeal. Thoughtful design and carefully considered specification also play an important role in shaping how a home feels to live in.

At Wixams, underfloor heating is included as standard, helping to create comfortable interiors while freeing walls from radiators and giving homeowners greater flexibility when arranging their rooms.

Hopkins homes also benefit from an enhanced specification, including floor and half-height tiling within wet rooms as standard. These considered details combine practicality with a refined finish, contributing to homes that feel both elegant and effortless to live in.

For Andy, however, the true measure of success is how homeowners feel once they have moved in.

“Most importantly, we want every customer to enjoy their new home, and we will do everything we can to help make that happen.”

A shared commitment to craftsmanship

Although Pride in the Job is awarded to an individual site manager, Andy is clear that the result belongs to the wider team.

“We must ensure that everyone working on site buys into the ethos that we are striving for excellence. From the bottom to the top, we all need to be working towards the same goal.”

That shared standard extends across site management, trades, suppliers and contractors. By establishing expectations from the outset, the team has created a working environment where quality is understood as a collective responsibility.

Andy was particularly keen to recognise those who have played an important role in the development’s success.

Construction Manager Rob Matthews has continued to challenge and support the team, helping ensure homes are delivered on programme and to the required standard. Project Manager Dan Brealey brought extensive knowledge during his time at Wixams and provided a valuable sounding board for ideas and decisions.

Assistant Site Manager Dwyane Lawson was always willing to support the team when needed, while Trainee Assistant Site Manager Naomi Hind has made a strong contribution since joining at the beginning of the year.

Andy also recognised Lewis Sell and Jason Stewart, whose work managing the site and compound presentation, while ensuring trades have the materials they need, has helped maintain rogress across a demanding programme.

Without that combined expertise, organisation and commitment, the award would not have been possible.

Creating a place with lasting appeal

Wixams is one of Bedfordshire’s largest and most ambitious new communities, bringing together homes, schools, amenities, green spaces and transport connections within a carefully planned setting.

With several housebuilders operating across the wider development, receiving the award carries particular significance for Andy.

“Wixams is a huge development with multiple housebuilders, so considering how many there are, I’m incredibly proud that we were one of only two to receive the award.”

The development is also the first to bring Hopkins Homes and Tilia Homes together under one site team.

“Running the first dual-branded site with one team brought added pressure, but it has also shown what we can achieve by working together.”

For Hopkins Homes, the award reflects more than the quality of an individual building. It represents the care, expertise and thoughtful placemaking required to create homes and communities designed to stand the test of time.

From a blank canvas to a home

For everyone involved in the build, the most rewarding moment comes when the work is complete and a homeowner begins making the space their own.

“Seeing those blank canvases develop, and watching customers really make them into their own homes, is special.”

It is the point at which plans, materials and craftsmanship become somewhere deeply personal: a setting for everyday routines, family milestones and memories that will unfold over many years.

Andy’s own ambitions now extend beyond the award. As he looks to progress in his career, he hopes to use his experience to support the next generation of site managers.

“I am always motivated to push for more. This may be my only opportunity to win the award as I look to progress, but that will give me the chance to help and encourage others who are striving to achieve Pride in the Job in the future.”

The NHBC Pride in the Job Award is a fitting recognition of the dedication shown at Wixams. More importantly, it reflects the enduring standards of quality, craftsmanship and care invested in every Hopkins home.

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