Apr 23 2007
Miller Homes has scooped the industry's top title, beating every leading housebuilder in the country to steal the highly coveted "Housebuilder of the Year" crown.
The award was judged by top industry professionals and announced at glitzy gala dinner in London organised by "Building" - a leading trade magazine covering the entire construction industry.
Miller Homes saw off stiff competition from the biggest names in the housebuilding industry to take the trophy. This is the first time that the company has won the prestigious "Major Housebuilder" title in its 70 year history but as Chief Executive, Tim Hough says; "It was worth the wait!"
Judges credited the company for its ability to straddle the "traditional and ground breaking in its innovative designs" but were most impressed with Miller Homes' attitude to customer care.
Special mention was made of the newly launched website, www.mymillerstreet.co.uk - which enables residents on each of Miller Homes' live developments to get to know their neighbours online.
Judges commended Miller Homes for using the site to encourage buyers to live a more sustainable lifestyle and noted the fact that the company is playing its part when it comes to protecting the planet - Upton Green in Northampton and Allerton Bywater in Leeds were both recognised for setting new standards in ecological home design.
Miller Homes' impressive financial performance was also pulled out for praise - and with turnover up a staggering 750% in eight years, that came as no surprise for Tim Hough.
He said; "There can be no denying the fact that since the start of this decade, we have gone from strength to strength.
"We have set precedents in terms of online innovations - we were the first British housebuilder to enable all buyers to track the build progress of their new home online, we then added SMS text alerts to the service and just a few weeks ago, we launched a new website designed to get our buyers talking over the virtual garden fence.
"In 2005, we became the first new home builder to publish our satisfaction scores and we continue to publish them twice a year proving our commitment to customer care.
"Thanks to all this, and the hard work of our staff across the UK, nearly 90% of our buyers now say that they would happily recommend Miller Homes to a friend and in my mind, that says it all.
"I personally couldn't be more pleased that the industry has recognised these achievements. To be named the Housebuilder of the Year is quite an accolade and it is a testament to the hard work, ambition and determination of the people that work for us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all."