Recognition for Salford development as site boss secures national accolade
Mike Morrison, who oversees construction at The Putting Green, Bellway’s Salford housing development, has been named among the winners of the NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Awards, a long‑running benchmark for on‑site excellence in UK housebuilding.
The recognition is Morrison’s first at this level and places the Salford scheme among projects commended for rigorous build standards. The Putting Green is delivering a mix of two, three and four‑bedroom homes, and the award arrives as the development continues to bring new housing to the city.
Rigorous judging and local significance
The Pride in the Job programme, now in its 45th year, evaluates site managers across a broad set of criteria, including leadership, technical know‑how, health and safety, interpretation of plans and consistent attention to detail. According to the organiser, the National House Building Council (NHBC), inspectors assessed around 7,500 site managers nationwide this year, with just 449 receiving Quality Awards.
Bellway’s Manchester division, headquartered in Warrington, saw seven of its site managers named as winners. For Salford, Morrison’s inclusion highlights the standards expected at a development delivering family homes in the local market. While buyers often focus on location and price, the NHBC scheme places emphasis on the day‑to‑day management that underpins quality and safety on site.
What the award means for buyers and the project
For households considering a move to a new‑build property, third‑party recognition of this kind signals a project where construction processes and site leadership have stood up to detailed scrutiny. The NHBC’s judging approach incorporates unannounced inspections and spot checks, aiming to reflect the routine running of a live site rather than staged assessments.
- Independent inspection: NHBC assessors review management, workmanship and safety on active sites.
- Consistency matters: Awards recognise sustained performance across the build programme.
- Next stage ahead: Winners now progress to the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn.
Reactions from the site and the company
“I am absolutely delighted to have won a Pride in the Job award. It’s been a goal I’ve been working to for several years and to finally achieve it means a great deal to me. It’s fantastic recognition for all the hard work, dedication and pride I take in my role as a senior site manager.”
Tom Chadwick, Construction Director for Bellway North West, praised the winners across the division for their commitment to the standards required by NHBC judges and for motivating their teams to share the same ethos.
Next steps in the awards cycle
All Quality Award winners move forward to the next phase of the competition. Morrison and his peers will be considered for the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards later in the year, with results due in the autumn. Those stages recognise an even smaller cohort within the national shortlist.
At a glance: the numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Site managers assessed (UK) | ~7,500 |
| Quality Award winners (UK) | 449 |
| Winners in Bellway Manchester division | 7 |
Local context
With demand for a range of family homes across Salford, recognition for the management of a live build provides reassurance for prospective purchasers about the oversight applied to construction. While awards are not a guarantee of future performance, they are widely regarded within the industry as an indicator of robust site practices. For residents and stakeholders, this adds to the picture of how large housebuilders operate in the city, from safety protocols to workmanship.
The Putting Green, being actively delivered in Salford, contributes to local housing supply at a time when quality and delivery timescales are under close public scrutiny. Independent assessments, such as those from the NHBC, sit alongside warranty and aftercare processes that typically accompany new‑build purchases. As the awards process continues into the autumn, attention will turn to whether the Salford site advances to the next tier of recognition.
