Building Awards 2024 shortlists: Housebuilder of the Year

Earlier this year Building announced all the firms who made it on to the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.

Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.

Today’s shortlist is for Housebuilder of the Year.

Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes has had a standout year. It retained its five-star builder rating for the seventh consecutive year, with 91.6% of customers recommending the company. The firm’s employee engagement survey revealed that 91% of staff would recommend Bellway as a great place to work. The company’s Better with Bellway strategy aligns sustainability with commercial goals, delivering measurable achievements across all areas. The housebuilder has made substantial progress towards carbon reduction targets, achieving a 35.6% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions against the 2019 baseline. Bellway’s innovative Future Home project at the University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0 is providing valuable data on low carbon technologies. The company has also partnered with Octopus Energy to provide zero bills homes, guaranteeing no energy costs for five years. Bellway’s commitment to biodiversity is evident in its developments, with 97.5% of sites incorporating wetland features. The company has achieved a landfill diversion rate above 99% year-on-year and has met targets in sourcing materials responsibly. Bellway’s dedicated mental health first aid programme is also on track to meet its target, demonstrating its commitment to employee wellbeing.

Berkeley Group

This year has been a strong one for Berkeley Group, thanks to achievements in areas such as its focus on brownfield regeneration to create sustainable and nature-rich communities. The company delivered 3,900 homes in the past year, with 29% being affordable housing. Berkeley’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in its net promoter score of 80.2, significantly exceeding the industry average. The group has led the charge on biodiversity net gain, with 56 sites in planning set to deliver more than 580 acres of new or improved natural habitats. Berkeley invested £370m in community and infrastructure contributions, including affordable housing subsidies. The company’s climate action efforts have resulted in carbon-neutral direct business operations for six years, with a goal to become a net-zero carbon business by 2040. Berkeley maintains its focus on talent development, with 9.5% of direct employees in “earn and learn” positions. The group’s commitment to quality is reflected in 63% of homes having zero defects, compared with just 5% across the industry. Berkeley’s live sites are set to deliver 515 public amenities, including community spaces, schools, nurseries and sports facilities.

Mount Anvil

Mount Anvil has demonstrated exceptional growth and community engagement over the past year, delivering more than 1,000 homes with 5,000 more in the pipeline. The company aims to build 10,000 homes by 2030, with at least 50% being affordable. Mount Anvil’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its achievement of business certification from Planet Mark and development certification for Royal Eden Docks. The housebuilder’s focus on health and safety has resulted in a RIDDOR reportable incident rate of 101, significantly below the industry average of 366 per 100,000 employees. Mount Anvil’s commitment to employee development is reflected in its employer net promoter score (NPS) of 50 and manager NPS of 79. The company’s Makers & Mentors programme, in partnership with the Greater London Authority, aims to improve access to housing careers for diverse groups. It also ran 245 community events totalling 500 hours and attended by over 4,000 people in the past year, demonstrating its dedication to resident engagement. Mount Anvil’s innovative approach includes an independent resident advisory panel that visits sites twice yearly to assess performance and provide feedback to senior leadership.

Thakeham

Thakeham is redefining the role of housebuilders by delivering zero carbon homes, critical infrastructure and exceptional biodiversity. The company is set to deliver 800 new homes in the coming year, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainability and construction methodology. Thakeham’s exemplar scheme, Woodgate at Pease Pottage in Crawley, demonstrates its commitment to creating integrated communities with essential amenities. Its focus on sustainability is evident in a commitment to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, while its Ockford Ridge scheme comprises 30 affordable homes that will achieve net zero carbon emissions over their lifetime. The company has exceeded the government’s biodiversity net gain requirement on every project, including a 29% gain on a 37-home scheme in Newick, East Sussex. Thakeham’s proactive approach to design and construction efficiency is demonstrated in its use of standardised house configurations and its trialling of innovative techniques such as prefabricated roofs. Its commitment to equitable housing is reflected in its tenure-blind approach, ensuring no difference in build quality between private and social housing. The company has also produced a policy paper with Plunkett UK to strengthen community-run businesses in rural locations.