Believe in Better.
Build Better.
The power of reimagining
At Wates Construction we build with purpose — delivering high-quality construction, fit out and refurbishment projects that enhance the lives of the people who use them, strengthen the communities around them and create opportunities for social, economic and scientific progress.
Whether transforming existing spaces or delivering new environments, our expert teams truly understand the complexities of the people, places and sectors they serve and appreciate the impact of every small detail or decision.
With a collaborative, forward-thinking approach and a commitment to excellence, we manage every stage of the construction journey with precision, integrity, and innovation – from early engagement and planning through to delivery and building management. This means that we are a trusted partner in the delivery of some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile projects.
What makes Wates Construction different?
Offsite Manufacturing
Prism enables faster, safer, higher‑quality delivery through prefabrication, modularisation and integrated offsite solutions, supporting a wide range of sectors.
Digital Construction
Digital engineering helps us optimise real‑world delivery, reduce environmental impact and improve safety. We also use digital tools to help customers visualise, plan and engage with their projects from the outset.
Building Technology
Smart building technology improves energy efficiency, building performance and user experience. Our solutions are engineered to customer needs and integrate with any platform.
Social Value
We create places where people can thrive by working closely with local communities, social enterprises and partners to deliver meaningful social value on every project.
Sustainability
We design and deliver low‑carbon, resource‑efficient buildings that enhance biodiversity and adapt to changing needs, supported by specialists using data and technology to optimise performance.
Steff Battle
Executive Managing Director
Wates Construction
Specialist business.
Seamless national delivery.
Led by Executive Managing Director, Steff Battle, Wates Construction is made up of eight specialist businesses with deep, cross-sector regional expertise.
This combination of national strength and regional insight enables us to deliver complex projects through experienced local teams, while drawing on the scale, innovation and capabilities of the wider Wates Group. Each of our businesses is supported by dedicated operational leaders, pre-construction specialists, and business development teams who understand the unique needs of their customers.
Explore our businesses below to see the sectors they operate in, discover key projects, and connect with their teams.
Wates Construction East delivers projects across key sectors including education, government, justice and universities. The team brings strong regional expertise to complex schemes, supported by specialist operational and pre‑construction teams.
Current projects include the British Library redevelopment in Boston Spa and Joseph Norton School in Huddersfield, reflecting the business’s focus on high‑quality public and education sector delivery.
Wates Construction West operates across the education, justice, leisure, local authority, emergency services and health sectors, delivering complex public and community-focused projects through specialist regional teams.
Current projects include the expansion of HMP Onley in Warwickshire to deliver 180 new category C prison places for the Ministry of Justice, the redevelopment of Woldgate School in Yorkshire and the restoration of Grade II Listed Derby Market Hall. These projects reflect the business’s expertise in secure environments, public sector delivery and essential community infrastructure.
Wates Construction London delivers complex schemes across education, government, universities, life sciences, commercial and emergency services sectors, combining deep heritage experience with modern construction expertise in the capital.
Current projects include the heritage restoration of Norman Shaw North for the UK Parliament and the commercial redevelopment of One Hanover Street for The Crown Estate. These flagship schemes demonstrate the team’s strength in sensitive restoration, high‑quality commercial delivery and working within challenging central London environments.
Wates Construction South delivers major projects across the education, university, justice, emergency services and leisure sectors, supported by specialist regional teams with deep knowledge of the southern market.
Current projects include new prison facilities in Haverhill and Thetford at HMP Highpoint and HMP Wayland, and a project to construct new facilities for the Isle of Wight College. These schemes reflect the business’s capability in delivering complex justice infrastructure and high‑quality education environments across the region.
Wates Smartspace delivers specialist refurbishment, fit‑out and technical upgrade projects across schools, universities, health, justice, defence, government and emergency services. The team focuses on fast‑paced, highly coordinated programmes within live and operational environments.
Current projects include the HSBC Data Centre Programme in Yorkshire, involving MEP upgrades and refurbishment and the Government Property Agency’s CAT B office fit‑out in Manchester. These schemes demonstrate Smartspace’s expertise in complex technical refurbishments and secure government environments.
Wates Fit Out specialises in high‑quality commercial workplace delivery across London, bringing deep expertise in CAT A and CAT B fit‑outs for major financial, corporate and property clients.
Current projects include CAT B fit‑out projects on Gresham Street and Liverpool Street. These schemes will deliver premium, fast‑paced commercial environments in some of London’s most complex and high‑profile office buildings.
Wates Construction brings deep diligence, proven resilience and purpose-driven innovation to the Ministry of Justice’s prison programme.
Through the integrity of our expert teams, the scale of our collaborations and a working culture rooted in social value, we deliver transformative infrastructure that is a springboard for rehabilitation, sustainability and long-term societal benefit.
Wates Construction is proactively raising standards in prison construction by reimagining the skills, technologies and processes required to deliver large, politically sensitive projects. And our state-of-the-art facilities help people to thrive: setting prison leavers up for success, bringing investment to local communities, and reducing inefficiencies for the justice system.
Supporting the public and private sectors
Places designed for discovery
“Every school we build, every hospital, every home or workplace has a ripple effect on people’s wellbeing, opportunities and sense of community. That’s why I’m proud of what we do at Wates.
What sets us apart is our approach. We listen, we collaborate and we innovate –always looking for smarter, more sustainable ways to build and often seeing things others miss. For me, that’s the Wates difference: places with purpose, built by people who care.”
Steffan Battle
Executive Managing Director, Wates Construction
