About Us

Reimagining places for people to thrive.

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.

6,000

Employees (2024)

£2.4bn

Turnover (2024)

£395m

Social value generated (2024)

33%

Reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline (2024)

Wates family 2022

Reimagining places for people to thrive

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.

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

Commercial Project Manager

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 29-10-2025

🌟 We're Hiring: Commercial Project ManagerLocation: Finsbury Park Office (Hybrid – 3 days office / 2 days home)Salary: Competitive + BenefitsContract Type: Full-Time, PermanentAbout the RoleWe’re looking for a Commercial Project Manager to lead and deliver high-value internal commercial projects (starting at £500k+), driving cost savings, financial tracking, and strategic improvements across our business.This is a finance-focused role with a strong commercial lens, ideal for someone with a Quantity Surveying background who’s ready to move beyond traditional QS work and take ownership of impactful, business-critical projects.Key Responsibilities Lead multiple strategic and functional projects from scope to delivery. Collaborate with senior stakeholders across the business to ensure buy-in and successful implementation. Provide detailed commercial and cost-benefit analysis, including forecasting, budgeting, and P&L impact. Track financial benefits and ensure spend with third-party consultants delivers best value. Report on project progress, risks, and outcomes to leadership. Travel across WPS sites and offices to engage with teams and ensure project alignment.What We’re Looking For Experience in housing maintenance or construction. Strong commercial acumen and project management skills. Background in Quantity Surveying or similar, ideally at a senior level. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. A self-starter who thrives in a dynamic environment with minimal supervision. Comfortable working independently and managing cross-functional teams.Working Style Hybrid working: 3 days in our Finsbury Park office, 2 days from home. Flexible working options available. Travel required across WPS sites.Why Join Us? Be part of a small, agile team making a big impact. Work on high-value projects that shape the future of our commercial operations. Enjoy autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to influence strategic decisions.Ready to Apply?If you're a commercially minded professional looking to step into a broader, more strategic role — we’d love to hear from you.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Proposals Manager

Location: Basingstoke

Job Type: Bid

Application Deadline: 29-10-2025

Are you a bidding professional ready to take the next step in your career? We’re looking for a Proposals Manager to join our growing bid team for the Southern region, with offices in Basingstoke and Leatherhead. This role places a strong emphasis on high-quality bid writing and coordination.As a Proposals Manager, you’ll craft persuasive, creative, and focused responses for a range of bid opportunities—including PQQs, tenders, presentations, and other quality-related activities. Your work will ensure our submissions are compelling, compliant, and aligned with Wates’ brand and values.As a Proposals Manager, you will: Collaborate with the Senior Proposals Manager and wider team to develop responses that are clear, engaging, and highlight the benefits of our offer. Create structured answer plans for each question, allocate writing responsibilities, and support the development of high-quality content. Lead workshops and meetings to gather insights and share knowledge across the team. Shape strategies for responding to quality questions, ensuring alignment with client priorities and Wates’ values. Bring creativity to every submission, ensuring each one is visually and narratively compelling. Monitor and communicate relevant market and competitor intelligence to inform bid strategy. Use tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign) and Microsoft Office to produce polished, professional documents. Review responses for consistency in messaging, tone, and use of key phrases and themes. Liaise with internal stakeholders to ensure access to accurate and up-to-date company information, including structure, financials, and safety statistics. Support business development with presentations, brochures, and marketing materials. Be a proactive, enthusiastic team player with a passion for winning bids.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) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.

Supervisor

Location: Walton-On-Thames

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 29-10-2025

Join Our Team – Supervisor (Walton-on-Thames)We’re looking for a proactive and experienced Supervisor to lead a team of 10 multi-trade operatives delivering responsive maintenance services across our properties in Walton-on-Thames. If you have a strong background in managing diverse trades and ensuring high standards of service and safety, this could be your next great opportunity.🔧 Your Role Will Include: Supervising a team of 10 operatives across various trades, ensuring productivity and quality of work. Monitoring and enforcing health and safety compliance across all job sites. Allocating operatives to jobs and ensuring timely attendance and completion. Managing complaint cases from initial report through to resolution and completion. Liaising with tenants, internal teams, and contractors to maintain service excellence. Supporting scheduling, resource planning, and performance tracking.📋 What We’re Looking For: SSSTS certification (Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme) – essential. Proven experience in supervising repairs and maintenance in a social housing or similar environment. Strong knowledge of multiple trades including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and general building. Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills. A full UK driving licence.🎁 What You’ll Get: A collaborative and supportive team environment. Opportunities for career development and training. Competitive benefits including a company vehicle or allowance, pension scheme, and generous holiday entitlement.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Customer Service Advisor

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Customer Service

Application Deadline: 28-10-2025

🌟 Part-Time Customer Service Advisor – Manchester (16 hours/week) 🌟WPSAre you passionate about delivering excellent customer service and making a real difference in your community? Join WPS as a Customer Service Advisor and be part of a team that values integrity, respect, and putting people first.📍 Location: Manchester🕒 Hours: Part-time – 16 hours per week📅 Contract Type: Permanent 🔧 About the Role:As a Customer Service Advisor, you’ll be the first point of contact for our residents, handling queries, logging repairs, and ensuring a smooth and supportive experience from start to finish. You’ll work closely with our operational teams to ensure issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.💬 Key Responsibilities: Respond to inbound calls and emails from residents and clients Log repairs and service requests accurately Provide updates and follow-ups on ongoing issues Liaise with internal teams and contractors to ensure timely resolutions Maintain accurate records and uphold data protection standards✅ What We’re Looking For: Previous experience in a customer service or call centre environment Excellent communication and problem-solving skills A calm, empathetic, and professional approach Strong IT skills and attention to detail A team player with a proactive attitude🌱 What You’ll Get in Return: Competitive hourly rate Flexible working hours to suit your lifestyle Supportive team environment Opportunities for training and development The chance to make a real impact in the communityGiven the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Get in touch

To get in touch with us, simply fill in the form below and we’ll get right back to you.