Willie Whitelaw, a dedicated site manager from Chard, is celebrating a remarkable 25-year milestone with Cavanna Homes. Starting his journey at the turn of the millennium, Willie began as a forklift driver at the Torbay-based homebuilder and steadily climbed the ranks through hard work and determination.
At 61, Willie reflects on how his curiosity and eagerness to learn shaped his career. “I just had to step up,” he says. “I was always watching how they did things—learning different ways to get the same job done.” His hands-on approach and commitment did not go unnoticed. Encouraged by then-director Martin Cavanna, Willie pursued a Higher National Certificate in Construction at Somerset College of Arts and Technology in 2008, cementing his expertise in the field.
Since then, Willie’s career has flourished. In 2018, he was honoured as Cavanna’s Site Manager of the Year, an accolade voted on by company directors. Reflecting on this achievement, he says, “It means a lot. Sometimes it’s tough out there, and you doubt yourself, but that kind of recognition shows they’re proud of what you’re doing.”
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Over two decades on site have exposed Willie to many industry changes, yet his core values remain unchanged: quality and safety. “You’ve got to make sure you’ve got the top quality, the right trades, and that health and safety is always number one,” he stresses. “People come to work for you, and it’s your job to make sure they go home safe to their families.”
Willie acknowledges the modern challenges housebuilders face today, from soaring resource costs to erratic weather conditions, but his passion endures. “It’s still so rewarding,” he says. “We don’t see many youngsters coming through now, but if you’re considering a career in this sector, get in with a company like Cavanna and ask every question you want.”
Even after 25 years, Willie continues to learn on the job. “Even now, I’ll see someone doing something a different way and think, yes, that works too,” he shares. His openness and dedication are truly inspiring.
Managing Director Paul Moran paid tribute to Willie’s longstanding commitment, stating, “Not only is Willie a keystone of our homebuilding operation, but he manages his sites and teams professionally and effectively – always with a smile on his face. We are very grateful for his quarter-century at Cavanna Homes and look forward to many more years ahead.”