WhatHouse? Awards 2016 six-time winners – Hill

Last year’s WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year Hill had another successful time at the 2016 event as the company received several plaques  from Lord (William) Hague at the glittering event at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday 18 November.

The WhatHouse? Awards is the largest event in British housebuilding, this year celebrating its 35th anniversary with an audience of around 1,700 industry professionals. Hill won Silver for Best Medium Housebuilder and Bronze for Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year, with an additional two Golds for its Ninewells development in Cambridge, Best House and Best Development, and two Silvers for its Ilan Square scheme in Hackney, east London, Best Partnership Scheme and Best Exterior Design.

Andy Hill, chief executive at Hill, says: “The WhatHouse? Awards are among the most prestigious and coveted accolades in our industry and to be recognised across the board for the third year in a row is an incredible accomplishment. The judges consistently highlighted our use of design and rightly asserted that design was in our DNA - which it is!

“We are so proud that all of our developments are bespoke and designed to fit their unique locations, and it is this attention to detail which is setting us apart from our peers. Our staff were also recognised as a vital ingredient to our success, and it is the driven, talented and determined people behind the Hill brand who are responsible for winning these awards.

“With their help we have already seen record growth over 2016 and we are on the way to achieving our ambition of trebling our turnover and profit over the next five years.”

Of the company, the Awards judges say:  “Hill… came very close to retaining its Best Medium Housebuilder title this year after 12 months of excellence in all this smart, savvy, innovative developer does. The business built over 1,500 homes with profits of over £30m – a 69% rise. It doesn’t stop there, with plans to treble turnover and profitability over the next five years.

“The Hill family name is above the door and development of the workforce and staff satisfaction are vital ingredients to the company’s success, supporting trainees, as well as developing leaders. A pledge to become “an employer of first choice for our subcontractors” also highlights Hill’s recognition of the importance of its supply chain in delivering award-winning homes.”

Of Ninewells, the judges remark: “We particularly liked the forms and style of the contemporary homes. The appearance is crisp and refreshing with its reinterpretation of the vernacular. The detailing, choice of external materials and hard landscaping is simply inspirational, with a feel of quality about it that simply cannot be faulted.

“House types are larger, private sale houses as well as retirement apartments and affordable homes.

“This is an extremely well-balanced and well-designed scheme fully deserved of its Gold award.”

Find out more about the WhatHouse? Awards 2016 here.