With the 2025 WhatHouse? Awards just around the corner, Rory Wilkinson, digital editor of Show House, spoke to Adam Miles, managing director of Athena Surfaces, to find out more about the company and what drew them to sponsor the Awards.
Tell us a little about Athena and your role at the company
Athena is a business built on innovation, precision, and partnership. We specialise in premium worksurface solutions tailored for the housebuilding sector, with a strong focus on quality, speed, and customer experience. As managing director, I lead a passionate team committed to delivering excellence across every touchpoint – from product development to installation. My role is to ensure we stay ahead of industry trends, support our developer partners and drive continuous improvement in everything we do.
What role does Athena play in the housebuilding industry and how does it support developers?
Athena plays a pivotal role in helping developers differentiate their offering. We understand the pressures of build schedules, customer expectations, and site logistics, and we’ve built our service model around supporting those needs. Whether it’s through our First Response team, our tailored kitchen options packages or our investment in training and technology, we’re here to make the process smoother, faster, and more reliable. Developers know they can count on us to deliver not just product, but partnership.
What was it that attracted you to sponsoring the WhatHouse? Awards?
The WhatHouse? Awards are a celebration of excellence in our industry, and that aligns perfectly with Athena’s ethos. We’re proud to support an event that recognises the hard work, creativity and commitment of housebuilders across the UK. Sponsoring the Awards is our way of giving back to an industry that we’re deeply invested in, and of standing alongside the developers we work with every day.
>> Tickets for the WhatHouse? Awards are available now – book yours today <<
How important are the WhatHouse? Awards to the housebuilding industry?
They’re hugely important. The Awards set a benchmark for quality and innovation, and they shine a spotlight on the people and projects that are shaping the future of UK housing. For developers, winning a WhatHouse? Award is a mark of distinction. For suppliers like Athena, it’s a chance to celebrate our partners’ success and to see the best of the industry all in one place.
What is your favourite part of attending the WhatHouse? Awards?
It’s the energy. There’s a real buzz in the room – seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones and celebrating the achievements of the industry. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with our developer partners in a different setting, away from the day-to-day pressures of site work and schedules. The Awards are a reminder of why we do what we do.
What does the future hold for Athena and how does sponsoring the Awards support that?
The future for Athena is about growth, innovation and deeper collaboration with our developer partners. We’re investing in new technologies, expanding our product range, and refining our service model to meet the evolving needs of the market. Sponsoring the WhatHouse? Awards helps us stay connected to the pulse of the industry – it keeps us inspired, informed and aligned with the standards we aspire to meet and exceed.
