The project manager in charge of a major housing regeneration project in Lambeth has been rewarded for his dedication to building high-quality homes with a prestigious industry accolade.
Joe Webster, Bellway Project Manager at Arbour Square, a 441-home development which is transforming the Geoffrey Close Estate off Flaxman Road, has won a Quality Award in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) 2026 Pride in the Job competition.
He is among an elite group of just 449 site managers from a field of more than 7,500 across the country inspected by the NHBC to be selected for the honour this year. And the award comes as construction work is nearing completion on the first apartment block at Arbour Square, with the first residents set to move in next month.
Arbour Square is a joint venture between housebuilder Bellway and housing association The Riverside Group. The 10-year regeneration project will transform Riverside’s Lambeth Estate, which comprises Geoffrey Close, York Close and Canterbury Close, providing modern housing for tenants currently living in the estate’s existing blocks.
As well as the 135 social rent homes for existing tenants, the scheme will also deliver 27 homes for London Living Rent, 35 shared ownership properties and 244 homes for sale on the open market. The development will comprise six new apartment buildings ranging from five to 13 storeys in height, with a phased demolition of the existing blocks to be carried out as residents move into their new homes.
Joe, 47, an experienced project manager who has overseen several large-scale regeneration projects during his career, joined Bellway’s Thames Gateway division in 2024 to lead the construction of Arbour Square.
He said: “It’s a very proud moment to win my first Pride in the Job Quality Award. When you work on a site for a long time it becomes your second home – you live and breathe it. So for your hard work to be recognised in this way is extremely rewarding.”
Joe, who has worked in construction for more than 30 years, starting out as an apprentice carpenter before moving into site management, said persistence, patience and good communication skills were the key to running a successful site – as well as having the support of your senior management team.
“My senior management at Bellway are brilliant. They are always there if you need a little chat or reassurance. They are very supportive.”
image.png
He said that the limited space on site at Arbour Square, with the new buildings being constructed in very close proximity to the existing blocks, had presented its challenges. But he added that because this had limited the number of contractors who could be on the site at any one time, it had enabled him to build a strong and tight-knit team.
“It’s a small team. We never have more than 50 people on the site which makes it easier to manage. I know everyone’s name on site which makes it a lot more close-knit. It’s like a family unit and that makes people feel like a bigger part of the day-to-day operation.”
Block A, a six-storey building which has been named 11 Kenbury Street, comprises 25 apartments for social rent. This is due to be handed over to Riverside at the end of August, with the first residents – who currently live in Geoffrey Close – due to move into their new homes in September.
Once all new residents of 11 Kenbury Street have moved in, their existing homes will be demolished so that construction work on Block B can begin. This eight-storey building will comprise 81 social rent properties for the remaining Geoffrey Close residents and tenants of Canterbury Close.
Joe, who lives in Bexleyheath, recently held second viewings of the Block A apartments for residents, giving them each a chance to see their new home close to its completed state, with the kitchen and flooring installed.
He said: “Some of the residents got quite emotional. Their new homes will be a big improvement on where they currently live. And it will be a much nicer environment for them all round. They will have planting and outdoor areas where they can sit and relax. At the moment, they have got nothing but concrete.”
The Pride in the Job awards, which are now in their 45th year, are among the most highly-prized in the housebuilding industry. Judging is a rigorous process which encompasses every aspect of a site manager’s responsibilities, including consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety. Spot checks are also carried out on the day-to-day running of the site.
Joe will now go on to be judged in the next round of the competition – the Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards – which will be announced in the autumn.
