Employee of the year wins special award

A business development manager from Southam has been named the 15th recipient of a prestigious prize awarded by a Midlands construction and development company.

Edward Hudson, Business Development Manager at Deeley Construction, has been presented with 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 over the previous year.

The award has been presented on two occasions to two individuals in the same year, but for 2024, Edward has been named the sole recipient.

Edward joined the firm in 2013 and is responsible for sourcing new enquiries, coordinating tender submissions, ensuring ISO certification and management systems are up to date and the Deeley Group’s PR and marketing activities.

“After 12 fantastic years with the business, it is lovely to be recognised in this way by my colleagues,” he said.

“I’ve had excellent opportunities since joining the business, from supporting the creation of our new ESG strategy, driving forward our Net Zero Carbon target and being involved in initiatives, like the Starley

Sportive cycle ride, that have had a positive impact on local communities.

“It has been a challenging time following Covid, but also a rewarding few years with lots of changes in the construction industry. The Deeley team have made my life easier as a Business Development Manager by delivering excellent projects and growing our reputation in the industry.

“I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Gary personally, but his reputation in the business speaks for itself, that is reflected in his son Marc, a Site Manager for Deeley Construction who is building on Gary’s legacy at Deeley.”

Peter Deeley, joint Managing Director of Deeley Group, said: “Edward has been an integral member of the Deeley team since joining the business and embodies our company values.

“During the voting process, colleagues expressed how Edward goes above and beyond for the team, and they were impressed with his commitment to the role.

“The award is now in its 13th year and each year it gives us the opportunity to remember Gary and it was wonderful to be able to welcome his wife Julie to our offices to present the award again this year.”

LDJ is proud to announce the promotion of its Practice Manager, Craig Everitt, to Partner, marking a significant milestone for both Craig and the firm.

Craig becomes the first non-solicitor to be appointed as a Partner in the firm’s history, following a recent conversion to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS). This structural shift allows the firm to bring talented non-solicitors into its leadership, with Craig’s promotion paving the way for future appointments.

Craig first joined LDJ over 25 years ago, starting as an office junior and steadily rising through the ranks. His promotion to Partner reflects both his professional accomplishments and the firm’s confidence in his continued contribution to the leadership and success of the firm.

With this move to an ABS, the firm is embracing a more inclusive approach to leadership, ensuring that the most capable individuals - regardless of their legal qualification - can help shape the future of the firm. This forward-thinking change enables the firm to better serve its clients by drawing on a diverse range of skills and experiences at partnership level.

Senior Partner Martin Bunney said: “Craig’s appointment as our first non-solicitor Partner is a momentous occasion for LDJ. His years of dedication, commitment and invaluable contributions to the firm make him more than deserving of this role. Our decision to convert to an ABS structure reflects our belief that excellence in leadership extends beyond legal qualifications, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the future of the firm.”

Craig added: “I am deeply honoured to be the first non-solicitor Partner at LDJ. This firm has been my professional home for over two decades, and I am excited to take on this new role as we move into a new era for the firm. I’m grateful to my colleagues and mentors for their unwavering support and I’m looking forward to coninuing to contribute to the firm’s success.”