Back to NewsA CG Fry & Son site manager has been recognised among the very best in the UK after winning one of the housebuilding industry's most prestigious awards.
Alex Reid-Johnson has received an NHBC (National House Building Council) Pride in the Job 2026 Quality Award for building homes of exceptional quality at Welborne in Hampshire.
Welborne is a new garden village being created just north of Fareham, where traditional craftsmanship is combined with energy-efficient design. The development will provide a thriving new community with beautifully designed homes, extensive green spaces, schools, shops, leisure facilities and a range of amenities.
Widely regarded as the 'Oscars' of the housebuilding industry, Pride in the Job assess site managers across six key areas, including consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety, with winners recognised for raising standards across the housebuilding industry.
The 32 year old, who lives in Bishops Waltham with his wife and two young sons, began his career labouring for a family friend’s small business, before discovering a passion for construction. Inspired by seeing developments take shape and the satisfaction of delivering high-quality homes, he went on to complete a degree in Construction Management at Nottingham Trent University and is now a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Alex believes that quality comes from setting high standards, maintaining clear communication and creating a culture where every member of the team takes pride in doing the job properly.
Commenting on his award, Alex said: "This is my first NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award and I am over the moon! I pride myself on my attention to detail and always ask myself whether I would be happy to live in the home we're building. If there's anything that I’m not happy with, we'll make sure it’s put right – it’s something I'm incredibly passionate about.
"Everyone on site shares the same commitment to quality. From Jack Aldridge, Chris Allen and my excellent team to our subcontractors and suppliers, everyone understands the standard we're aiming for and takes real pride in achieving it.
"We've created an environment where people have the facilities they need to do their jobs properly, whether that's our fully equipped paint preparation area or ensuring every trade has the time and support to achieve the best possible finish. Welborne is a fantastic development with an incredible level of detail, and we're all very proud of what we're delivering."
Mike Crawford, development construction director at CG Fry & Son, said: “Alex is an outstanding site manager whose passion for quality is evident throughout Welborne. When you visit the development, you can immediately see the level of care, craftsmanship and attention to detail that he and his team bring to every home.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success, including our subcontractors, suppliers and colleagues, whose support and expertise play a vital role in delivering high-quality homes for our customers. This is a proud moment for the whole team.”
Commenting on the awards, Cassandra Codling, Senior Regional Director at NHBC said: “Congratulations to Alex Reid-Johnson 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.”
Alex 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 Steve Walker at Poundbury in Dorchester, Dorset, 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 Welborne click here.
