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

Joiner/Multitrade

Location: Barnsley

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 09-04-2026

We have a great opportunity for a Joiner / Multi – trade Operative to join our WPS team in Barnsley, delivering high‑quality repairs and maintenance services to our social housing clients.This role is ideal for someone experienced in joinery who is confident working across a range of responsive maintenance tasks, ensuring first‑time fixes and excellent customer service on every visit.🔧 What You’ll Be Doing Carrying out a variety of responsive repair and renewal works across social housing properties. Delivering a high standard of workmanship, aiming for first-time fix wherever possible. Working across multiple trades as required, identifying when additional trade support is needed. Completing job sheets and recording materials used via PDA or job management systems. Working collaboratively with supervisors, operatives and client representatives. Upholding Wates Health & Safety Standards and safeguarding responsibilities at all times. 📌 Requirements Minimum NVQ Level 2 in Joinery/Carpentry (essential). Full UK driving licence (essential). Experience delivering responsive social housing maintenance. Strong multitrade ability (e.g., basic plumbing, patch plastering, tiling) is highly desirable. Ability to problem‑solve, work independently, and communicate well with tenants and colleagues. A commitment to delivering a positive customer experience.✨ What We’re Looking For A skilled joiner with multitrade capability and a proactive approach. Someone who takes pride in their work and ensures repairs are completed safely and to a high standard. A team player who can work efficiently and adapt to the varied nature of responsive work.Given 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

Regional Customer Services Manager

Location: Derby

Job Type: Customer Service

Application Deadline: 09-04-2026

We have an exciting opportunity for a Regional Customer Service Manager to join our WPS team, leading customer service excellence across our North & Central Region. This is a pivotal leadership role covering multiple contracts and offices, ensuring our customers, clients and internal teams receive a consistently outstanding service.📍 Location & TravelThis is a regional role with coverage across:Barnsley, Milton Keynes, Derbyshire, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Worcestershire. Preference: Midlands-based Expected to work flexibly across up to six offices within the region Hybrid working: 1–2 days per week from home (business/client demands permitting)💼 About the RoleReporting directly into Divisional Director as the regional lead, this role is responsible for shaping, influencing and delivering our customer strategy across the Responsive Maintenance service. The successful candidate will oversee multiple customer service functions and ensure continuous improvement of the end‑to‑end customer journey.You will lead large teams (up to 50 people) including: Customer Contact / Customer Experience Scheduling & Planning Complaints & Case Management Performance & Insight / Continuous Improvement General Customer Service Operations linked to R&M deliveryThis role requires someone who thrives in a client-facing, collaborative environment and can confidently manage multiple customers, stakeholders and service lines.🔑 Key Responsibilities Lead and manage regional customer service operations across multiple offices, teams and contract lines. Oversee customer contact, scheduling, complaints handling, performance monitoring and service standards. Engage directly with clients, residents and stakeholders, representing WPS with professionalism and enthusiasm. Use performance data, KPIs and customer insights to identify service gaps and implement improvements. Shape, refine and support the delivery of the regional customer strategy, aligned with wider WPS objectives. Ensure adherence to social housing regulatory requirements and maintain strong governance. Build strong relationships across the sector, staying connected to emerging trends and best practice in customer experience. Foster a positive team culture centred on empathy, ownership, accountability and service excellence. Support continuous improvement across repairs & maintenance operations, ensuring customer experience is at the heart of decision‑making.🌱 What We’re Looking ForWe’re seeking an enthusiastic, customer-first leader who brings:Essential Experience Strong background in social housing, responsive repairs, or planned maintenance customer service. Experience managing large in-house teams (ideally 30–50 people). Proven ability to lead multi-site customer service operations. Deep knowledge of social housing regulation, complaint handling and customer experience frameworks. Confidence working with multiple clients / local authorities / housing associations. Ability to analyse data, identify trends and drive improvement at scale.Personal Attributes Empathetic, proactive and confident in a customer-facing environment. Able to balance operational detail with strategic thinking. Resilient, solutions-focused and comfortable working at pace. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. A natural collaborator who motivates and inspires teams.✨ Why Join Wates Property Services? Be a key influencer in shaping the customer journey for thousands of residents. Play a regional leadership role with genuine autonomy and visibility. Join a values-led, family-run Tier 1 contractor committed to social value and customer excellence. Work within an organisation undergoing meaningful transformation in customer experience.Given 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

Resident Liaison Officer

Location: Coalville

Job Type: Customer Service

Application Deadline: 02-04-2026

12 months Fixed Term ContractWPS are recruiting for an experienced Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) to support planned refurbishment works for a social housing partner across the North West Leicester area. This role is essential in ensuring residents feel informed, supported, and safe throughout the improvement programme.🏘️ Scope of WorksYou’ll be supporting residents through a range of planned upgrade programmes, including: Kitchens Bathrooms Roofing Other internal and external refurbishment works typical within social housing planned maintenance🔑 Key Responsibilities Act as the primary point of contact for residents, ensuring clear and timely communication about planned works. Issue notices, access letters, appointments and general updates. Build strong relationships with residents, addressing queries, concerns and access issues professionally. Support site teams to ensure smooth delivery of works with minimal disruption to tenants. Attend and help organise resident meetings, community engagement sessions, and progress reviews. Maintain accurate records, resident feedback logs and project-related documentation. Manage complaints and escalations in a fair, sensitive and solution‑focused manner.📌 Requirements Previous experience as a Resident Liaison Officer (essential). Strong customer service, communication and organisational skills. Ability to work with residents from diverse backgrounds, including those who may require additional support. Confident handling sensitive conversations and resolving issues calmly. Full UK driving licence required due to travel around the North West Leicester area.🌟 Ideal Candidate Empathetic, approachable and patient. Highly organised with strong attention to detail. Able to work independently while supporting a wider operational team. Comfortable working in occupied homes and responding to resident needs throughout the refurbishment process.Given 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

Site Surveyor

Location: Wolverhampton

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 09-04-2026

Here at Wates, we have a opportunity for an experienced Site Surveyor to join our WPS Planned Maintenance team in the Wolverhampton area.You will be working with an experienced team and helping to deliver projects for one of our long standing social housing partners so ideally we are looking for someone with experience in this field. The role is split between the office and travelling to our clients sites so a driving license is a must.The focus of this role will be to produce the commercial outputs and effectively monitor/exercise cost control, as well as to liaise with client representative/s to ensure compliance with contractual service standards ensuring the company operates efficiently and profitably. Key Accountabilities will include: Producing Applications, Accounts & Invoices in the appropriate format in a timely manner To ensure all costs incurred in the delivery of the service are appropriately coded, recorded authorised and recovered To assist in the production of management information and performance reports (internal and external) monthly in approved formats To keep commercial WIP and debt to an absolute minimum and in line with targets set by management To ensure the timely production of valuations leading to invoice production within 9 calendar days of works completion To provide support and enhance communication between WPS and the client. We are looking for someone with financial and commercial awareness with a clear commitment to a customer-centres service. Ideally you will already be in a similar position and have experience within the social housing sector. To be successful in this role you will be an excellent written and verbal communicator with an understanding of legislation in maintenance and property management. Given 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

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