A senior employee of a leading Midlands-based developer has joined a select group of workers both past and present that can have been named winners of Deeley Group’s top internal prize.
Richard Duxbury, senior design and build manager at Deeley Construction, has become the 10th recipient of the Gary Neville Award, set up as a lasting legacy to one of the firm’s finest ever employees.
The Gary Neville Award was created in 2012 in tribute to the former Deeley Group contracts manager and is voted for in-house, crowning the staff member who never hesitates to go above and beyond.
Richard’s coronation is a significant one, as his award win marks a decade of the initiative’s existence.
He said: “To win the Gary Neville Award at Deeley Group is a special moment for me personally. I’d like to thank all my colleagues, both in the office and on site. It’s been a joy to work with you these last eight years.
“I unfortunately didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Gary, but his achievements speak for themselves. When somebody wants to describe how things should be done from a construction point of view within the organisation, Gary is always the benchmark. His mentality continues in Deeley Group today, through the approaching of challenges head on, working together as part of a collective effort and producing results.
“To receive recognition whilst we are working in a such a tough environment at the moment, and to feel that your efforts are making a difference, is a great feeling. I’m very pleased to have picked up this prestigious award.
The award honours Gary Neville, who rose through the ranks of the company. He began his career as an apprentice, eventually leading some of the firm’s major projects, including the development of Belgrade Plaza.
Gary passed away in 2011 but his spirit lives on with the yearly award, which is presented to the employee who has displayed standout commitment levels in their role within the Deeley Group portfolio over the past year.
Richard Duxbury has helped progress the design and build element of the business in close to eight years with the Deeley Group, leading to his receiving of the Gary Neville Award.
Peter Deeley, joint managing director of Deeley Group, said: “Richard is an extremely well-regarded member of our team, with so many of his values matching those that Gary himself possessed.
“Over the past decade everyone at the company has embraced the award, as we remember Gary and the popular, talented and larger than life figure that he was.
“Whilst employed by the Deeley Group, Richard has carried himself with great integrity and worked diligently, building a reputation as an approachable and gifted colleague who is always the first to lend a hand.
“No problem is too great for Richard, as his multi-disciplinary skillset and reliable nature enables him to complete a variety of tasks to his usual high standard.
“We would like to thank Richard for his continued service to the Deeley Group. His hard work is valued across the organisation and he fully deserves this year’s award.”
Picture caption: Gail Duxbury, Richard Duxbury, Julie Whelan and Peter Deeley