A South Essex construction firm has won two of the British building industry's most coveted awards, on the basis of "principles as well as achievements."

The prize for Best Private Sector Housebuilder was presented to Warley-based Countryside Properties at the 2003 Building Homes awards ceremony held in London's Grosvenor House hotel.

Countryside's emphasis on the importance of human resources as well as bricks and mortar was acknowledged by a second award, the Training and People Development prize.

Earlier in the year, Countryside's emphasis on the human factor gained it an entry in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list, the only housebuilder to make the top 100.

Gordon Cherry, Countryside's chief executive, said: "It is widely recognised that the building industry is undergoing significant change in order to meet rigorous government planning requirements.

"While this presents a number of challenges rising to meet them is also creating new opportunities for those with the appropriate skills. It is encouraging to be recognised in that category."

The judges praised Countryside for actually working to the sort of standards that firms in many industries merely paid lip service to.

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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