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.

4,321

Employees (2023)

£2.18bn

Turnover (2023)

£225m

Social value generated (2023)

45%

Reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline

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

Board Administrator

Location: London NW1

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 30-04-2024

Wates are looking for a Board Assistant to join our Construction Group.Reporting into the Managing Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the Board of Directors delivering all required business secretarial services, co-ordinating activities among Board members and ensuring the business complies with its statutory obligations.As our Board Assistant, some of your key responsibilities will include: Oversee compliance with statutory requirements and maintain statutory registers to ensure legal obligations are met. Update and manage the company secretarial database (Diligent Blueprint), guaranteeing the accuracy and timeliness of business information. Prepare and distribute board documentation for Board and Committee meetings using Diligent, including critical business data and reports, and ensure corporate governance updates are communicated effectively. Organise and facilitate Board and Committee meetings, including agenda setting, note-taking, and action item follow-up, while coordinating information flow from various departments.The ideal candidate brings a comprehensive background marked by proven expertise in the UK Companies Act, corporate governance standards, and a wide range of regulatory frameworks, showcasing a deep grasp of corporate legislation and best practices. This experience is complemented by a solid history in company secretarial roles, reflecting the capability to navigate the role's responsibilities and complexities effectively. Additionally, familiarity with secretarial software, particularly Diligent Blueprint, and a proficiency in digital platforms for Board documentation management are essential, highlighting a blend of legal acumen and technical skill.We are seeking a candidate who is highly proficient in Microsoft Office, showcasing expertise in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and who has a proven track record of effectively minuting meetings, ensuring accurate documentation of discussions and resolutions. The ideal candidate should excel in communicating across all levels of the business, as well as with external advisors and agencies, fostering clear and productive interactions. They must be a highly skilled multitasker, capable of prioritising tasks and working efficiently within tight deadlines. Critical thinking, the ability to work independently, and strategic problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to tackle challenges and devise effective solutions. Additionally, we value confident interpersonal skills and the ability to lead with honesty and integrity.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & Profit Share Flexible working 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 + your Birthday off + 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 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.

Groundworker/Bricklayer

Location: Redditch

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 18-04-2024

Here at Wates, we have an opportunity for a Groundworker/Bricklayer to join us in our Wates Living Space Responsive Maintenance Team in the Redditch area. You will be asked to undertake all supporting tasks with a high standard of workmanship which will ensure an excellent customer service every time. We are particularly keen to speak to candidates who have experience within the following scope of works: Brickwork Fencing Flagging Pointing Tarmacking Key Accountabilities will include: Loading and Unloading of Vehicle Distribution of materials General brickwork, fencing, typical hard landscaping duties as the project requires. General clearing and cleaning of site areas to appropriate waste disposal methods We are looking for you to already have the relevant skills as a Hard Landscaper and experience to fulfil the above role requirements. NVQ Level 2 in a trade discipline is required, along with a full clean driving license. To be successful in the role you also be an excellent communicator with the ability to problem solve, multitask and work to tight deadlines.

Mobile Engineer

Location: Edinburgh

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 18-04-2024

Here at Wates, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Mobile Engineer to join our Facilities Management mobile team supporting our clients based in Scotland. The patch itself consists of Dundee, Perth & Edinburgh so we are ideally looking for someone residing in the Edinburgh area. The main objective is for you to carry out Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) to HVAC plant, including Reactive Maintenance and extra works/emergencies in accordance with the contract requirements on Mechanical Services. Due to the nature of the works, we are exceptionally keen to speak to candidates with a strong background with a strong electrical bias. ABOUT YOU To be successful in this role, you will ideally have the following: Knowledge of Heating & Air Conditioning Systems Strong Electrical & HVAC Experience Have previously worked as a mobile engineer 18th Edition C&G 2367 or 2357 (Electrical Installation) and NVQ level 3 in Electrical Installations or equivalent qualifications C&G 2391 (Test & Inspection cert preferred) What is important to us is your natural communication skills to deliver high levels of customer service at all times, your ability to effectively multi-task, work to tight deadlines and problem solve on the job; whilst always promoting health & safety excellence. ABOUT THE ROLE Key Accountabilities will include: Ensure all works are delivered in guidance of the legislation and contractual obligations Utilise CAFM/PDA technology for real time job updates, and provide detailed/comprehensive reports on works delivered To respond in a prompt and effective manner to all reactive maintenance issues and help desk requests associated with the heating and ventilation systems, pumps, water tanks, valves, pipe work and associated mechanical systems or items To respond to call outs and cover breakdowns and emergencies associated with the mechanical services aspects of the contract as required. In return, we offer a competitive salary, additional pay when on call, along with 22 days holiday, Pension benefits, life Insurance, and a flexible benefits scheme that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle.

Plasterer

Location: Dunstable

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 18-04-2024

Wates have an opportunity for a Plasterer to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Dunstable office on one of our social housing contracts, delivering reactive maintenance to our residents.Key Accountabilities will include: Undertaking repair/renewal works Advising Supervisor in a timely manner where other trades are required Working solely on certain tasks Working in partnership with other operatives to complete certain tasks Completing daily work sheets detailing work undertaken and materials used after each job undertaken Working in a timely and productive manner to complete programme tasksYou must have a full UK driving licence.To be successful in the role you will be an excellent communicator with the ability to problem solve, multi task, work to tight deadlines, have high standard of workmanship, productivity levels and ability to provide excellent customer service at all times is essential.

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