Hayfield Site Manager Achieves MCIOB Accreditation

Ben Marlowe-Bright, the Site Manager for Hayfield Green in the Oxfordshire village of Stanton Harcourt, has become a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, enabling him to use the post nominal MCIOB.

While continuing to deliver his day duties, Ben has worked towards the MCIOB accreditation, via the exam and professional review route. He joined the Chartered Membership Programme last summer, which led to Ben studying 12 distinct topics, followed by sitting an open book exam. Colleagues across various departments in Hayfield provided advice on contractual obligations, technical matters, and health and safety regulations.

Passing the CIOB exam enabled Ben to progress to the Professional Review stage earlier this year. There are 14 areas to study within three different categories, which assess an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience in three main areas of competence: occupational, management, and professionalism.

Ben Marlowe-Bright, Site Manager for Hayfield Green said: “My father is a retired Quantity Surveyor, so obtaining a chartered qualification in my profession is something that really appealed to me. At first, I kept my application to join the CIOB low key, as I wanted it to be a surprise to all those I work with at Hayfield – and my dad! As soon as I revealed to my colleagues what I was studying for, they were all so helpful in offering advice and providing information.

“We have a toddler and another baby due imminently, so life is busy at home, but my wife Lucy has been incredibly supportive and given me lots of encouragement along the way. I am really grateful to my colleagues at Hayfield too for assisting me with various aspects of the study work, and for the brilliant response since finding out I had become Chartered. I love working at Hayfield and it feels right for me to have achieved this while working with the team here.”

Since joining the company in 2018, Ben Marlowe-Bright has twice won the WhatHouse? Award for Best Public Realm. Last year, the success came while he was the Site Manager for Hayfields in the south Oxfordshire village of Southmoor. The same ‘gold’ accolade was presented to Ben’s current project, which is Hayfield’s redevelopment of the former RAF Stanton Harcourt airfield. The outstanding Public Open Space at Hayfield Green – together with the restoration of air raid and blast shelters, and monuments such as the former Water Tower and Guardhouse – won the judges over, with Hayfield beating both Redrow and Barratt at the November award ceremony to secure the top prize.

Ken Mulpeter MCIOB, Production Director for Hayfield said: “I have been so impressed with Ben’s work ethic and commitment to achieving this industry accreditation. Juggling a busy day job and homelife alongside professional studies is a real challenge and Ben has now set an incredible benchmark to others. Being a member of the CIOB provides instant reassurance and a confirmation of professional competence to all those who Ben interacts with, while also attesting to his first-class site management style. All those who live on one of Ben’s award-winning developments can feel sure that the construction of their home has been overseen by highly experienced and qualified hands.”

Sara Hope MCIPD, Head of HR for Hayfield said: “Ben’s achievement demonstrates the core strength of Hayfield, which is our people. It’s a great example of learning and development in the workplace and shows the commitment to the CIOB within Hayfield. We plan to support more employees in gaining Chartered Membership status.”

Recently crowned Housebuilder of the Year at the 2021 WhatHouse? Awards, Solihull-headquartered Hayfield is proactively installing Air Source Heat Pumps, underfloor heating, the smartest electric vehicle fast-charging points available, and ultra-fast broadband into all new and upcoming developments, in line with its strong ESG foundations. These features – alongside its current build specification – ensures all new Hayfield homes have a 62% reduction in CO2 over current Building Regulations.

Hayfield has eight live sites in Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Wiltshire and Buckinghamshire, where executive family homes are being constructed in prime semi-rural and edge of town settings. Hayfield is seeking to deliver a turnover of £150m during 2022, supported by a five-year landbank.

For more information on Hayfield’s development portfolio, visit: https://www.hayfieldhomes.co.uk/