Keon Homes project manager is honoured for work on Newport development
A project manager who has overseen Keon Homes’ first foray into extra care schemes has secured a high profile NHBC Pride in the Job Award.
Matt Wilkes was named as the overall Regional Winner for the West in the Multi-Storey Builder category, following earlier securing the Quality and Seal of Excellence titles - beating off competition from tens of developments across the region in the process.
The former bricklaying apprentice has played a key role in overseeing the £15m build of Queenswood in Newport, a scheme that will deliver 70 high quality one and two-bed apartments, communal spaces and a café for the residents and the community to both enjoy.
Working in partnership with The Wrekin Housing Group, the company has overcome some complex build challenges to be on course for completing the ambitious project in November – eight months ahead of the agreed schedule.
“You start with the Quality Award, then compete for the Seal of Excellence and then, as we have done on this occasion, compete and win the NHBC Pride in the Job Regional Award. It’s one of the highest accolades a site manager can receive, so I’m blown away by it to be honest,” explained Matt, who has worked in construction for 21 years.
“Queenswood is one of the first extra schemes Keon Homes has taken on and involved innovative thinking to firstly unlock the parcel of land and then secondly in devising a mix of traditional and modern forms of construction to make the development possible.
“This included concrete floor planks manufactured offsite, acoustic Isobrubber layers added and an immense roof frame that had to incorporate some complex fireproof measures.”
He went on to add: “The Keon team has been absolutely superb. Every challenge was met with a willingness to overcome it, and I’m pleased to say we are on course to complete eight months early and to the very highest specification. Queenswood really will be a fantastic place to live.”
This is the first time Keon Homes has secured the Regional NHBC Pride in the Job title and comes just five years after the business was formed by Warren Bolton and Richard Williams.
It’s growth from a standing start to a £50m business has been built on unlocking complex parcels of land and delivering communities with affordable housing at its heart.
People are also an important element of what the Burntwood-based business does, with significant investment ploughed into an internal academy and clear career paths in place for all 54 members of staff.
Warren Bolton, Director of Keon Homes, continued: “Steve Wood won the Pride in the Job Quality Award in 2022, and this was our first success in this prestigious competition. This really spurred us on to achieve even higher standards across all our schemes, culminating in this year’s triumph.”
Matt went on to add: “This latest award is not just for our business, but also for the supply chain that we have created to make Queenswood happen.
“We have benefited from a close-knit network of more than 25 local suppliers working on this project, with more than 100 individuals employed at any one time. Surrounding ourselves with experts in their respective fields and clear communication has paid dividends and certainly helped us to win the NHBC Regional Title.
“We always tried to push the standard and everyone who stepped onto this development brought into what we were trying to achieve, which was to give our client a brilliant product in a short space of time.”
Keon Homes, which is part of the Tara Group, will now be assessed by judges for NHBC Pride in the Job National and Supreme Awards, with the winners due to be announced on January 24.
