Simon Potter; Commercial Director
Simon Potter is the Commercial Director for Wates Construction. His remit extends to overall commercial responsibility for all construction projects – both pre and post contract, across the UK overseeing a team of 400 surveyors.
Simon works closely with our clients to overcome problems and define commercially viable solutions for their businesses, bringing extensive knowledge of all contractual forms, construction techniques and procurement types.
He joined Wates in 1989 and has held a number of key roles within the business including most recently as Regional Commercial Director for the Home Counties working in particular in the Commercial, Education and Government sectors, including many local and national frameworks.
Stephen Beechey; Group Investment Director and Head of Education
Steve began his career as an Engineer with Tarmac in 1987. He then moved into a number of commercial roles before advancing into a development and programme management role with Schal.
Steve subsequently worked for Jarvis and Laing O’Rourke with responsibility for PPP investment projects in social infrastructure.
He has a passion for education and believes it is fundamental to the long term success of UK plc.
Dominic Somerville; Business Manager - Bristol and South West
Dominic joined Wates in 1990 as a surveyor and played a key part of the development and expansion of the Southern Home Counties Business, particularly in the opening of the Bristol region in 1995.
With the increasing use of frameworks, Dominic's role developed into securing and leading Public Sector frameworks in Healthcare, Custodial, Regional and in Education.
More recently Dominic led the Wates Academy Framework team. He is recognised as a specialist in providing to clients the real benefits that frameworks can provide.
In March 2011, Dominic was appointed as Business Manager for the Bristol and South West region and leads a team of over 35 experienced professionals.
David Price; Business Director - North East
David joined Wates in 2000 and has led the commercial department on some of the largest and most prestigious projects in the region.
These have included the Challenge School, Bradford, 10 Leeds Primary Schools PFI, Bridlington Spa and Broadgate, Leeds.
Since his promotion to Business Unit Manager in 2009 David now leads the 50 strong team of dedicated professionals in the Construction North East region, delivering a wide range of projects in terms of sectors and value. These currently include a Scientific Support Unit for the West Yorkshire Police, a new headquarters for the Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Companies, an extension to the Harrogate International Centre and two hotels for the Skelwith Group.
As a family man David ensures that employment and training opportunities are maximised on all sites to promote the image and reputation of Wates and the overall construction industry.
Gary Campbell-Dykes; Business Director - Southern Home Counties
Gary is the Business Director for the Southern Home Counties Business.
Over a 15 year period with Wates, moving from a commercial background into his current senior leadership position, he has gathered extensive experience. He has delivered on a wide range of schemes, for both Private and Public Sector Customers, including working on both local and national Frameworks. His commitment to delivery, and detailed knowledge, is supporting Wates' continued expansion of our business into all areas of the Southern Home Counties.
Richard Shroll; Business Director - London
Richard’s career in the construction industry started at the tender age of 16 as an apprentice Carpenter. Joining Wates in 1989, Richard worked his way up to Project Manager, gaining wide ranging experience on a variety of project types from new build commercial schemes, and education projects to refurbishment projects and large residential developments.
His experience includes the redevelopment of the Gainsborough Studios on the Hackney/Islington border and the prestigious new Margaret Thatcher Infirmary for The Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Promoted to Project Director, Richard was charged with building a business around the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Whilst delivering the £35m Chelsea Academy in Lotts Road, he helped to secure a pipeline of prestigious projects in the area.
In April 2011 Richard was appointed Business Director of the London Business to primarily develop the public sector market in the region.
