From Trainee to Site Manager at Sutton regeneration

Clarion Housing Group congratulates local Durand Close resident, Perry Robjant, on his career in construction

On 27 February, while on a tour of the Durand Close estate regeneration project, Clarion Housing Group joined Rydon to congratulate Perry Robjant, a local resident who has built a career in construction while working on every phase of the £83m project in Sutton.

Joining the first phase of the Durand Close regeneration project in 2011 as a construction trainee, Perry is now fast-tracking his career by leading the delivery of its final phase as site manager with Rydon.

Perry said:

“I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my career in this industry. I’m proud to have worked my way up to site manager, building modern new homes for people in my community and at the same time being able to study for my qualifications."

“There has been a huge amount of encouragement, support and mentoring from my colleagues along the way.”

Getting a head start with Clarion Futures

Perry joined Rydon as a trainee during an employment initiative offered by our charitable foundation Clarion Futures for unemployed local people.

After successfully completing his six-month placement, Rydon took Perry on full time and funded his studies for a Diploma and subsequently a Higher National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment.

Since then, he has also completed the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) Chartered Membership Programme.

He is now site manager on the final phase of the project, Nightingale Close, creating 25 new affordable homes.

Helping to improve the lives of residents

Victoria Whittle, Head of Jobs and Training at Clarion Housing Group, said:

“Perry has done extremely well to get where he is today and I hope his journey will be an inspiration to others. Helping to improve the lives of our residents is at the core of what we do at Clarion."

“In the past year alone, we have helped more than 3,000 residents, like Perry, into employment.”

As well as working at several phases during Durand’s regeneration, Perry has also had the opportunity to gain experience at other large Rydon projects around the capital including Packington Estate in Islington and Green Man Lane in Ealing.

Clarion is working with Rydon to redevelop the Durand Close estate, replacing 300 local authority properties with 675 new homes of which 484 will be affordable (347 social rent) and 191 for private sale.