A BUILDER'S DATE WITH H.R.H

FROM a building site to Buckingham Palace! Former Leyland apprentice Paul Rowley has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to construction by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

Rowley, founder and managing director of Rowland Homes, has been awarded a prestigious Highly Commended Certificate from His Royal Highness, president of the City and Guilds Institute.

Certificates are awarded to exceptional individuals who have displayed outstanding individual achievement in the fields of science, technology and industrial development. All holders have been helped on their way to success by City and Guilds qualifications.

The Leyland born entrepreneur was one of only two recipients personally chosen by His Royal Highness to showcase the merits of City and Guilds.

As a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer, Paul undertook a City and Guilds Certificate, followed by an ONC in Building as a way of bolstering his professional credibility. Having left school at 16 with a shortage of formal qualifications, the vocational pathway offered the opportunity to combine education with on the job experience.

The qualifications proved to be a key building block in Paul’s burgeoning career in the property industry, reflecting his ambition to unlock his potential and maximise future opportunities.

Founding Rowland Homes in 1993, the 42-year old family man has gone on to become an established and respected member of the local business community and a major local employer.

Rowland has just celebrated its 15th anniversary in style, achieving success in the property industry’s most highly regarded awards, a reflection of the company’s transformation from small local developer to a major regional player. Rowley also picked up his third Property Entrepreneur of the Year title from Entrepreneur magazine.

Paul and his wife Sara attended a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 10th, where Paul was presented with his certificate by The Duke of Edinburgh.

Commenting on his award, Paul said: “I wasn’t particularly academic at school and upon entering the working world at 16, recognised the significant value and door-opening opportunities qualifications could bring. For me, City and Guilds provided the ideal route to combine on the job experience with theoretical knowledge, giving me confidence in my abilities and motivation to fulfil my ambitions.

“I am extremely honoured to have been chosen to receive the Highly Commended Certificate and to have been in such good company at the ceremony. It’s a significant personal achievement and a once in a lifetime experience to meet the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.

“His Royal Highness is an extremely well informed and interesting man who took the time to talk in depth to myself and my wife about my career success and about topical issues. It was a day not only to remember, but to inspire.”

Rowland has an established reputation for building quality homes in sought after locations across the North West, having completed more than 60 developments to date.

Based in Leyland, the company is currently responsible for ten developments in Chorley, Mossley, Manchester, Wirral, Bolton, Rochdale, Widnes and Stockport. For further information contact 01772 621 166 or log on to www.rowland.co.uk to access the latest news.