Cavanna site manager Willie Whitelaw marks a major career milestone

Site manager Willie Whitelaw is celebrating his silver anniversary with Torbay-based homebuilder Cavanna Homes, the firm he began working for at the turn of the millennium.

When Willie, 61, joined Cavanna Homes 25 years ago as a forklift driver, he quickly developed an interest in the wider workings of building site operations. By watching and learning from the site team around him, he gained valuable hands-on experience that would pave the way for his career progression.

“I just had to step up,” Willie says. “I was always watching how they did things – learning different ways to get the same job done.”

Encouraged to take on more responsibility by Martin Cavanna, who was then one of the company directors of the family-owned firm, Willie was supported in completing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Construction at Somerset College of Arts and Technology (now University Centre Somerset) in 2008.

In the years since, Willie has continued to rise through the ranks, leading site teams and maintaining the high standards Cavanna Homes is known for.

In 2018, he was named Cavanna’s Site Manager of the Year – a moment of pride for Willie, who says, “It’s voted for by the directors, so it means a lot. Sometimes it’s hard out there, and you think you haven’t done well – but that kind of recognition shows they’re proud of what you’re doing.”

With more than two decades on site, Willie has seen plenty of changes in the industry – but one thing remains constant, the importance of 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 says. “People come to work for you, and it’s your job to make sure they go home safe to their families.”

Willie also notes the increasing challenges facing housebuilders today, from the rising cost of resources to unpredictable weather, but he remains passionate about the work. “It’s still so rewarding,” he adds. “We don’t see a lot of youngsters coming through now, but if you’re considering a career in the sector, get in with a company like Cavanna, and ask every question you want.”

Even after 25 years, Willie still finds himself learning something new every day. “Even now, I’ll see someone doing something a different way and think, yes, that works too,” he said.

Overall, Willie values the family ethos at Cavanna Homes, established more than 100 years ago: “Every company changes over time, but Cavanna has never lost that family feel.

“If it hadn’t been for Cavanna, I don’t know where I’d be,” he said.

Paying tribute to Willie’s 25 years’ service with the company, Managing Director Paul Moran said: “Not only is Willie a keystone of our homebuilding operation, he manages his sites and his teams professionally and effectively – and always with a smile on his face. We are very grateful for his quarter-century at Cavanna Homes and we look forward to many more ahead!”