A Pembroke site-manager has won a top accolade at the house-building industry's most prestigious awards ceremony, recognised for his exemplary commitment to building housing of outstanding quality.

Michael Thomas, of South Meadow Homes Ltd, was named national runner-up in the Small Builder category at the gala final of the 2011 Pride in the Job Awards run by NHBC (National House-Building Council), for his Gibbas Way development in Pembroke. The event was held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London last Friday, hosted by glamorous TV presenter Denise Van Outen.

A regular achiever in Pride in the Job, Michael has won the small category at regional level award 10 times in the last 11 years, maintaining and improving standards on site, but has yet to take the final step; this latest accolade, however, still proves to house-buyers that the homes he has created are among the best of their type in the UK.

Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC chief executive, said: "NHBC has worked to raise the standard of new homes in the UK for the last 75 years. Pride in the Job has been instrumental for much of that time in raising the build quality of new homes in the UK for over three decades, with house-builders now routinely striving for perfection in their work.

"Despite tough times, UK house-builders are still creating the best new homes, which are more energy efficient and finished to higher standards than ever before. A Pride in the Job award at any level marks the recipient out as a top performer, showing their commitment to producing the best quality homes possible. Michael is an exemplar in his field."

Michael was up against stiff competition for the national title from Pride in the Job's most prolific winner, beaten to the overall title by eight-time national champion George Lattimer, of Lattimer Homes in Cumbria, who has gained over 50 awards in the Small Builder category over a 15-year period.

Pride in the Job is the only awards scheme to reward site managers for the unique contribution they make to the house-building process, being responsible for delivering high quality homes by directing projects from start to finish. Michael bested around 13,000 other site managers across the UK working on projects registered with NHBC, the UK's leading new-home warranty and insurance provider, to take the runners-up title.