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covers.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2020 16:59 Page 2 BEST NEW HOMES IN BRITAIN covers.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2020 17:09 Page 3 foreword.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2020 16:01 Page 1 FOREWORD THE BEST NEW HOMES IN BRITAIN Among the many regrets – all of But, for now, let us celebrate the best new homes course mere inconveniences in Britain and those who created them – the people, when set alongside what so the products and the services. many people have gone through Romesh Ranganathan was our first-ever ‘digital’ in 2020 – of not being able to host as the Awards hit 40. Fortunate to meet him in hold a physical awards event because of the the flesh, I can confirm the comedian, television pandemic, is we cannot rise presenter and writer was a delight to work with; as one in a crowded, boisterous, room full of funny, engaging, but also fully tuned into the trauma peers and colleagues, competitors and clients, so many people have endured this year and partners and suppliers to applaud the very best choosing to donate his entire fee to charity. of our industry and pay due homage to the If we had had a physical event at our spiritual WhatHouse? Awards winners and all they have home, the Grosvenor House Hotel, you’d still be achieved this year. having selfies with him. He’s that sort of person and We may have been forced to praise them such a shame he couldn’t stand on stage and walk remotely due to the havoc wrought by Covid-19, the floor. A full house at the awards would have but the shouting needs to be louder and been the ultimate Ranganation. longer-lasting than ever. “Jack Whitehall hosted your Awards two years There is much wrong with British housebuilding running. Why not me?” Indeed Romesh, why not that needs to be urgently addressed and the indeed? necessary remedies sort and recompenses made. We would like to thank all the housebuilders, But there is a lot right too and every housebuilder suppliers and other industry colleagues and, of and every cog in their supply chains deserves huge course, our sponsors and judges; particularly this congratulations or their efforts in adversity and a year, for continuing to support us in the face of the refusal to be bowed. most extraordinary and challenging of years. Also, it is an industry that cannot afford to be bowed, for there is much to be done and the list of Rupert Bates challenges, in terms of delivery and reputation, is Editorial Director long and requires resolve and a robust facing up WhatHouse.com & Show House magazine to responsibilities. [email protected] Globespan Media is the organiser of the WhatHouse? Awards and also publishes the leading trade title for the housebuilding industry Show House. Its sister consumer-facing business is WhatHouse.com, the leading new homes portal. Editorial director: Rupert Bates Creative director: Kelly Bates Chief sub-editor: Suzanne Frost Sales director: Adrian Talbot ([email protected]) Tel: 020 7940 1070 www.whathouse.com | www.showhouse.co.uk BEST NEW HOMES IN BRITAIN | 01 JR_p02_05.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2020 18:40 Page 1 HOUSEBUILDER OF THE YEAR HOUSEBUILDER Foundation 200 is a £12m project Hill is committed to addressing the OF THE YEAR to provide 200 modular homes for acute skills shortages; investing in homeless people over the next future generations and is a platinum Hill five years across the communities member of Women into Construction, The greatest prize in British Hill builds in. helping to create a gender-balanced housebuilding, against the backdrop The project was conceived workforce in the industry. of the most extraordinary year before the pandemic, but the crisis A placemaker and a people most of us have ever experienced, of homelessness has ratcheted builder – a powerful combination goes to Hill, based in Waltham up several notches since, not to that wins Hill the industry’s highest Abbey, Essex. mention the added burden of accolade five years after its first Hill continues to build, to partner supporting charities naturally triumph. and to impress with panache and struggling for funds and resources passion across a myriad of locations as all helping hands were and house types. Its commitment to requisitioned to fight the virus. product and people is unswerving “We chose to deliver positive and laser-focused, eye never off change and to act as a role model for the ball, learning from the past, kindness and compassion through building in the present, planning positive action,” said Hill founder and for the future – a sustainable CEO Andy Hill. future, where building change It has always been a community-led must lead the way in combating company, recognising the importance climate change. of relationships and a collaborative A special year for the business – spirit from planning to completion. Hill’s 20th – was marked with the Staff are as important as launch of Foundation 200, out of its customers, with the culture of the newly formed subsidiary the Hill people transmitting through to the Group Foundation. quality of homes and service. 02 | BEST NEW HOMES IN BRITAIN JR_p02_05.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2020 18:40 Page 2 BEST LARGE HOUSEBUILDER SILVER levels. It appointed designated Places for People Covid-19 supervisors on all sites and virtual ‘hard hat’ tours for buyers GOLD SILVER A formidable all-rounder, Places for to view homes at first-fix stage via a Berkeley Group Miller Homes People is growing its position and video call with the site manager, as Any review of the Berkeley Group’s An eighth successive year of growth prestige in the housebuilding sphere well as home preview tours for year has to start with the death in for Miller Homes saw the opening of with an infinite variety of product, customers through iPad technology. June of its legendary founder and a new regional office in Teesside for focused firmly on placemaking The virus has seen housebuilders chairman Tony Pidgley. Among the the Edinburgh-based housebuilder. and the environment, aiming to responding to new priorities too when many tributes paid to the man who, Miller is swift to react to not just deliver net zero carbon homes on all it comes to the home environment, in 1976, founded one of Britain’s market movements, but customer its new developments from 2025. especially the increased emphasis most respected companies was one needs and trends, with a flexible range It is a big business too, with a on creative and practical outdoor from a fellow giant of the industry, of product, giving purchasers plenty of pipeline of over 25,000 homes to be space, as well as areas and facilities Steve Morgan, founder of Redrow. options, with designing in working built both traditionally and via MMC. for working from home. “Tony was unique – probably the from home an increasing requirement. The group as a whole is more than 20 Redrow, having opened a Thames greatest leader the housebuilding Miller has always prided itself on companies and over 12,000 people. Valley division last year, now has 14 industry has ever seen or is its digital marketing innovation, Places for People is committed to operating divisions across England ever likely to.” which proved invaluable during energy-efficient building solutions and Wales, amounting to some 130 Berkeley continues to be a pioneer lockdown in terms of the ability to and has launched the Innovation Lab active sites. of placemaking. Best known for its continue to engage and progress. with European partners, looking to The company introduced The London work, delivering more than Miller was the first housebuilder to identify innovative technologies. Redrow 8, a set of placemaking 10% of London’s new private and allow online reservations via its Customer service is an investment principles around both sustainable affordable homes, its reach and website and it has also introduced a too, with Places for People developing living and the wellbeing of residents, reputation also covers the south and live chat facility and virtual meetings a People First strategy around the be it through community the West Midlands. with customers; not to mention the homebuying process and interaction infrastructure, social interaction, or A big company, which delivers on evolution of the My Miller Home app. with customers. enhancing the development’s nature the ground and on the balance sheet, One example was a virtual sales The company builds homes for and wildlife, driven by Redrow’s Berkeley sets its sustainable bar high meeting with a member of the armed sale and rent and accommodation for strong commitment to biodiversity as too as a carbon positive business, forces in Afghanistan, leading to a students and older people, as well as a key component of both mental and committed to net biodiversity and purchase, while new marketing managing properties and providing physical health and a ‘doorstep renewable energy, embracing the campaigns have been run out across care and leisure facilities. nature’ approach to its schemes. imperative for the industry to multiple channels. Design, homes with classical faces acknowledge and proactively Miller invests in its own people too BRONZE and contemporary features, remain respond to climate change. with training and development a key focus, as is the emphasis on Redrow Berkeley always thinks in terms of programmes, as well as mental health staff training, encouraging training communities, not just homes, with a awareness training. There are also Redrow continues to deliver strong and apprenticeships throughout holistic approach, connecting and sustainability initiatives around carbon results, and in 2020 it was quick to the business, inspiring the next engaging to establish and nurture reduction and renewable technology.

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