About Us

Together we inspire better ways of creating the places, communities and business of tomorrow.

We are Wates, the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company. Founded over 125 years ago, we know about the built environment. We partner with a wide range of public and private sector customers and partners to create the places, communities and businesses of tomorrow.

4,021

employees (2022)

£1.89bn

turnover (2022)

£163m

social value generated (2022)

99%

of waste diverted from landfill (2022)

Wates family 2022

Creating tomorrow together

Now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we are committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusive and representative of the communities we work in.

Everything we do is guided by our purpose of working together to inspire better ways of creating the places, communities, and businesses of tomorrow.

Our goals are to be more sustainable, trusted and progressive, and our people are driven by our behaviours of ‘we care’, ‘we are fair’, and ‘we look for a better way’.

London business school atrium

Long term financial resilience

As a multi generational, family-owned business we are not driven by short term shareholder demands, but by decisions which are in the long term interest of the business.

Our owners, the Wates Family, are committed to handing over to the next generation, an even stronger, more sustainable business. This approach drives all our investment decisions and allows us to achieve progressive earnings growth and to partner with customers to deliver products and services that offer the best value for money possible. 

Zero harm, we're safer together safety campaign

Health and safety

Our safety strategy: Zero Harm: We’re Safer Together, has produced better results every year since it was first introduced in 2016.

It is aimed at eliminating physical and psychological harm entirely from all our workplaces. In 2022, we led the industry across all key health and safety metrics, while continuing to search for new ways to make us even safer still. 

we are committed to quality and sustainability

Quality

We are committed to eliminating the practical and economic impacts of any quality failures from each of our businesses, while also achieving full compliance with all relevant regulatory and legislative standards. 

Our commitment to quality across the industry was demonstrated through our role in helping draft the Government’s Construction Playbook best practice guide in 2022.

Our industry leading women in construction recruitment programme

Inclusion and diversity

Our ambition is to have a more diverse workforce and to be recognised as a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion in our own business and in the wider industry.

We are developing a more inclusive culture by establishing clear, non-negotiable expectations about colleagues’ behaviour and language.

We have developed award-winning inclusivity programmes to help change our culture, and we are always looking to build on that work further. 

University of Portsmouth sustainability

Environment

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to becoming a net zero carbon company and we’re working to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 carbon and waste from our business operations.

We are also collaborating with customers and suppliers to achieve reductions in Scope 3 emissions in response to rapidly developing customer demands as the net zero agenda becomes ever more important. 

Using offsite manufacturing we can improve productivity, efficiency and safety in construction

Innovation

We have always looked for new and better ways of meeting our customers’ needs and we are committed to developing and embracing the best new ideas that generate value and help us to tackle shared challenges.

Whether we’re cutting operating costs with optimised construction or saving energy with Passivhaus technology, we can connect you with the right answers.

Latest career opportunities

Project Engineer

Location: Dalry

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 08-04-2024

SES Engineering Services are looking for a Project Engineer to join our team in Ayrshire focussing on high profile, technically complex mechanical and electrical projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about the engineering aspects of Construction and are looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Project Engineers are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role will be to manage the technical correctness of project progression, supervising the supply and co-ordination of all technical information, including Health and Safety information. As our Project Engineer you will: Be responsible for the mechanical and electrical services installation on projects from design through to Smart Landings. Work with the BIM department to assist and produce fully coordinated installation drawings to a standard which allows clear direction for site installation or production of offsite manufacturing. Deliver a quality installation, in line with our client’s expectations, maximising the profitability by smart design and early selection, driving our cost whilst maintaining our standards. Work with the planner to have a clear sequence of works with defined durations and resource loaded that is agreed with our client. Develop and maintain professional working relationship with customers, our design team, supply chain and relevant stakeholders. Ensuring effective communication at all times and present issues concisely and persuasively. Working as part of a team to work safely and economically by co-ordinating activities with others WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 6% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT SES Engineering Services please click on the following link https://www.ses-ltd.co.uk/careers/working-at-ses/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 08-04-2024

SES Engineering Services are looking for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our North West team focussing on high profile, technically complex mechanical and electrical projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about the commercial aspects of Construction and are looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Senior Quantity Surveyors are a valuable part of our business, where they lead the team on a project or cluster of packages having full accountability for the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting.  Senior Quantity Surveyors take the lead; working collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Senior Quantity Surveyor you will: Develop and encourage project team performance, ensuring that SES main contractual obligations and/or strategies are executed and regularly reviewed Actively engage with all internal and external stakeholders and ensure delivery of the commercial function within your assigned projects. Producing internal and external commercial reports WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 6% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT SES Engineering Services please click on the following link https://www.ses-ltd.co.uk/careers/working-at-ses/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.

Client Support Advisor

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 29-03-2024

Are you providing amazing customer service in your current role but ready for the next step?We are currently recruiting for a Customer Care Advisor to join our fabulous team on a full time, permanent basis. We’re looking for someone who has a passion for delivering outstanding customer service whilst being professional and friendly at all times!It’d be amazing (but not essential) if you have previous experience of working on an FM Helpdesk in a busy environment because this is what you’ll be doing:• Delivering great customer service to our clients and contractors• Building outstanding working relationships with our clients, contractors and other functions within the business• Managing emails and phone calls• Dealing with enquiries from clients and contractors• Supporting clients and contractors with any queries• Assigning jobs to contractors within an agreed time frame• Chasing up jobs that have not been accepted/attended to• Managing and updating business-critical issues daily• Updating systems to ensure complete transparency• Ensuring that maintenance work is processed in a timely manner• Communicating with contractors daily, to minimise overdue work• Challenging unnecessary call-outs and response times• Working closely with site managers and engineers to ensure a one-team approach to management of maintenance issues• Operating and being measured against business KPIs• Demonstrating professionalism at all timesThis particular position will involve the raising and administration of a high volume of quoted works so if that is a process you are familiar with then please apply!To be successful you’ll need to be:• Tenacious and results orientated• IT literate• Confident, efficient and reassuring on the phone• Great at prioritising and multi-tasking• Friendly and professional• Looking for ways we can do things better• Ambitious and keen to progressWe’ll give you full training as part of your induction as well as the opportunity to make the role your own. You’ll be part of a close, fun team and be fundamental to shaping the future success of Customer Care within Wates FM and of course your own career aspirations!Wates FM successfully provides Facilities Management services in technically demanding environments, and our portfolio includes some of the UK’s best-known companies, providing stand-alone hard services, planned and reactive maintenance and technically led FM solutions to single and multi-site operations. This is an office based position.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 5% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 22 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.

Design Manager

Location: London

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 05-04-2024

Wates Construction are looking for a Design Manager to join our London team focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Design Managers work collaboratively with our industry specialists and in-house technical experts to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Design Manager you will: Work with all relevant parties, to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to facilitate design, procurement and construction activities Support the implementation of Continuous Improvement initiatives and innovation Ensure the design has been reviewed and verified to achieve compliance and mitigate Health and Safety, design and buildability issues prior to construction and identify key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

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