A trainee site manager in Wilmslow has been named Young Builder of the Year 2019.

Nick James, 24, who works at Jones Homes’ Sanctuary Wilmslow development for active over-55s off Coppice Way, picked up the prestigious award during a prize giving at the House of Commons.

The Young Builder of the Year Awards, which are run by Youth Build UK, celebrate the achievements of young people in the construction industry.

Winners are announced in two age categories; Nick won the award for 18 to 24-year-olds, while another prize was awarded for those aged 14 to 18.

His award follows the success of his site manager Rob Bennett, who recently received a coveted Seal of Excellence from the National House Building Council (NHBC) in recognition of his work at the development.

Having embarked on a landscaping apprenticeship straight after leaving school, Nick joined Jones Homes five years ago as an apprentice joiner, working at the Bollin Park development off Adlington Road. He has been a trainee site manager at Sanctuary Wilmslow for the past two years.

The 24-year-old, who lives in Hazel Grove, Stockport, said: “It’s great to be recognised for my hard work. I’m part of a fantastic team so I feel honoured to be the one to have received this award.”

“Because I started an apprenticeship straight after leaving school, I didn’t take the college courses or qualifications that most people do in order to become a site manager, but the apprenticeship I did with Jones Homes gave me the experience I needed to progress in my career.

“Working at Sanctuary Wilmslow has been great. The site is getting a lot of recognition, not only with me getting this award, but with Rob, the site manager, recently receiving the Seal of Excellence.”

Rob Bennett, Site Manager at Sanctuary Wilmslow, said: “Nick has been a valuable asset to the team ever since he joined us and he thoroughly deserves this award. He has shown all the attributes you need to be a successful site manager and I firmly believe he has got an extremely bright future in the industry.”

Sanctuary Wilmslow is a private gated development of cottages and apartments exclusively for the active over-55s which is due to launch in November.