Back to NewsA CG Fry & Son site manager at Poundbury has, once again, been recognised among the UK’s leading housebuilders after receiving one of the industry's highest honours for construction quality.
Steve Walker has been awarded an NHBC (National House Building Council) Pride in the Job 2026 Quality Award for building homes of exceptional quality at Poundbury in Dorset. The accolade marks an extraordinary milestone in his career, becoming his 16th Pride in the Job Quality Award. During that time, Steve has also achieved multiple Seal of Excellence awards and has been crowned the national Supreme Winner in the medium builder category eight times.
Widely regarded as the 'Oscars' of the housebuilding industry, the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards celebrate site managers who consistently deliver exemplary standards. Judges assess every aspect of site management, including leadership, technical expertise, attention to detail, health and safety, consistency and the interpretation of drawings and specifications.
Steve began his career in housebuilding at the age of 16, following in his father’s footsteps, and has now spent more than 50 years in the industry. Having joined CG Fry & Son in 1990, he has managed the company's work at Poundbury since construction began in 1993, playing a central role in delivering one of the country's most distinctive and celebrated developments in partnership with the Duchy of Cornwall.
Poundbury is an urban extension to Dorchester, nationally recognised for its traditional architecture, craftsmanship and attractive walkable neighbourhoods. Designed to create a thriving mixed-use community, the development combines high-quality homes with shops, workplaces, green spaces and community facilities.
Steve believes that exceptional standards are achieved by creating a culture where quality matters to everyone on site. Commenting on his latest award, Steve said: “Receiving my 16th NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award is something I don’t take for granted. Every award reflects the commitment and hard work of the entire team, and it’s very fulfilling to see what we've achieved together over the years.
“Winning this award is a special moment and I’m very proud of the people I work alongside every day and the quality of the homes we continue to build.”
Mike Crawford, Development Construction Director at CG Fry & Son, said: “Steve's commitment to quality has been unwavering throughout his career, and this latest award is thoroughly deserved. To achieve 16 NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Awards is an exceptional achievement and reflects the consistently high standards he has maintained over many years.
“Anyone visiting Poundbury can see the pride and craftsmanship that Steve and his team bring to every home. His leadership creates an environment where quality is everyone's responsibility, and that is reflected throughout the development.
“We would also like to thank our subcontractors, suppliers and colleagues who play such an important role in delivering the exceptional standards our customers expect. Congratulations to Steve and the whole team.”
Commenting on the awards, Cassandra Codling, Senior Regional Director at NHBC said: “Congratulations to Steve Walker who has demonstrated incredible dedication, passion, commitment and leadership to produce homes of exceptional quality. The judges look for site managers who go beyond strong performance and demonstrate qualities that lift a good site manager to an exceptional one.
“The competition is at the heart of NHBC’s core purpose to raise standards in house building. It inspires site managers to make their mark on the industry, earning the respect of their peers and leaving a legacy of homes built to the highest quality standards.”
Steve was one of four CG Fry & Son site managers to receive an NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award this year. His colleagues Brendan Leech at Nansledan in Newquay, Cornwall; Grant Gibson at Jurston Fields in Wellington, Somerset; and Alex Reid-Johnson at Welborne in Hampshire were also recognised for their outstanding achievements.
The Quality Award winners will now go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2027.
For more information on homes at Poundbury click here.