Cameron Homes has scooped a coveted NHBC Pride in the Job Award for its Octara Court development in the sought-after East Staffordshire village of Yoxall. Highly experienced site manager Neil Dutton has been recognised amongst the top 6% in the country.
Pride in the Job is the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry. The award scheme celebrates site managers who demonstrate excellence and commitment to producing homes of outstanding quality. The 450 Pride in the Job 2026 winners that have been selected by the NHBC were chosen after thousands of inspections took place from a field of 7,500 sites. Judging is rigorous, with assessment across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.
Lewis Brazier, head of production for Cameron Homes, said: “We are so proud of Neil for bringing home this award for Octara Court. Pride in the Job recognises site managers who achieve the highest standards in construction and that is exactly what he and his team have delivered at this bespoke development in Yoxall - one of Staffordshire’s most well-known villages.
“Neil’s commitment, leadership, experience, attention to detail and his overwhelming pride in the job are what makes him such an excellent site manager and ambassador for Cameron Homes. This exceptional development is attracting locals to buy a new home for the first time, as well as bringing new people into the area to live in this quintessential rural village setting.”
Pride in the Job celebrates site managers’ dedication to raising standards, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence. It rewards the contribution and dedication to pursuing excellence in delivering high-quality homes for homeowners in the UK. More than 250 judges apply a robust and meticulous judging process to residential developments across the entire UK.
Neil Dutton, age 50, has worked for Cameron Homes for 10 years, with Octara Court being the seventh site he has run for the family-owned business. As well as delivering all site management for the exclusive, gas-free development, Neil is also currently training Oli Ayres, an apprentice who joined the Staffordshire-headquartered housebuilder in 2024, age 16. Pursuing his dream of working in construction, Oli joined Cameron Homes straight after sitting his GCSEs, having attended Eramus Darwin Academy, which is within walking distance of the company’s head office in Chasetown. The talented school leaver has been on rotation within different departments of the business.
Commenting on the Pride in the Job announcement, Cassandra Codling, senior regional director at NHBC, said: “Winning site managers demonstrate 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 housebuilding. 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.”
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.
Octara Court comprises eight substantial detached homes, which are the largest new builds currently on the market in the area. Located off Bond End in Yoxall, the development is designed around a central courtyard and surrounded by countryside. Priced from £750,000 to £1.050m, the three- and four-bedroom homes range in size from 1,862 – 2,647 sq ft, with features such as a ground floor study, boot room, multiple en-suites and gallery style landing, all enhancing the feeling of luxury.
The expansive living accommodation at each Octara Court home is powered by an air source heat pump, solar panels, and has the added benefit of underfloor heating and EV car chargers. The stylish fitted kitchens - bespoke designed by Ocean - feature integrated Siemens appliances. Bathrooms, en-suites and cloakrooms have contemporary white sanitaryware, with Porcelanosa floor and wall tiles.
The design approach for the development is inspired by heritage barns and reflects the traditional dwellings found locally in Yoxall village, featuring pitched roofs, overhanging eaves and casement windows. Car parking is provided on plot, via driveways and garaging. The homes will be ready to move into during the summer months.
For car journeys, the A38 provides easy access to Lichfield (eight miles away), Burton upon Trent (six miles) and Birmingham (30 miles). Lichfield Trent Valley station is just a short drive away, providing regular 80-minute fast rail services to London Euston and 40-minute journey times to Birmingham New Street.
Established in 1994, Cameron Homes is currently delivering over 200 homes across 11 live developments and has a pipeline of future sites expected to deliver circa 1,000 new homes.
