A COMMITTED quantity surveyor from Coventry has become the youngest recipient of a construction and development company’s most prestigious award.
Tom Jeffrey, Assistant Quantity Surveyor at Deeley Group, has been named as the 16th recipient of the Gary Neville Award.
The award was created in 2012 in tribute to former contracts manager Gary Neville after he passed away in 2011. It is voted for by colleagues and recognises the employee who has demonstrated the highest level of commitment to their role.
Tom, 22, from Earlsdon was presented with the award in recognition of his professional development over the past year, his dedication to Deeley Group and the positive impact he has on colleagues.
He said: “I really wasn’t expecting it. It was a huge surprise, especially as it is such a prestigious honour within the business.
“Ever since joining the business I have been aware of this award. Gary was here long before I was, but everyone knows the impact he had and the values he stood for, which are still very much at the heart of the business today.
“To receive this recognition from my colleagues is lovely and to become the youngest ever recipient of the award is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Tom joined the business as an apprentice – the same route taken by Gary many years ago – in 2020 after spending a week on work experience the previous year.
He has worked across a range of major schemes for the firm, most recently supporting on a £19.6million independent living scheme for Anchor in Peterborough, and for a £2.9million industrial scheme in Exhall, where he has taken on the responsibility of lead quantity surveyor for the first time.
He is now in the final year of his degree apprenticeship, studying Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons) at Coventry University.
Peter Deeley, Joint Managing Director at Deeley Group, said: “Tom reflects the core values of the Gary Neville Award and is a deserving recipient of this year’s award.
“It has been great to see Tom’s progression, both professionally and personally, and colleagues across the business consistently recognise his hard work, commitment and positive attitude.”
