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

Administrator

Location: Liverpool

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 01-04-2026

📣 Administrator 📍 Liverpool⏱ 40 hours per week🏢 Liberty – Energy Transition Operations🌟 Join Us in Making Places Safe, Smart & Better for AllAre you highly organised, people‑focused and ready to support vital projects within our Energy Transition Operational teams? We’re looking for an Administrator to join our Liberty team in Liverpool. This is an exciting office-based role where you’ll work closely with Supervisors, Managers, and cross-functional teams to help keep our operations running smoothly 🚧📑👀 What You'll Be DoingYou’ll play a key role in providing high‑quality administrative support across a range of projects. Every day will be different, but your work will include:🤝 People Focused Building strong relationships across the Liberty team Responding to email queries from operational teams and clients Welcoming visitors and providing reception cover when needed Preparing refreshments for meetings🧭 Always Accountable Working towards operational targets with accuracy and reliability Maintaining systems and records with precision Ensuring regular updates are communicated clearly and in good time Supporting the operational team with general admin duties, photocopying & filing💡 Simply Innovative Working proactively within a busy multi‑disciplined team Helping identify and resolve supplier delays Supporting field staff with all admin-related needs📚 Helpfully Smart Recording planned work accurately into relevant systems Managing compliance documentation and ensuring correct filing Assisting the wider Business Support team where needed Handling tasks such as reprogramming door fobs🌈 What We Expect From You A commitment to our values: Passion, Openness, Respect & Trust A willingness to support the business as priorities shift Respect for confidentiality and adherence to data protection policies A proactive approach to health, safety and welfare A desire to develop yourself and continually improve🤝 Why Join Liberty?You won’t just be a number — you’ll be part of a people-centred, innovative and inclusive team focused on improving lives and making a positive impact. Your work helps deliver outcomes that matter.📩 Apply todayReady to take the next step? Apply today and help us deliver a safe, efficient and customer‑first repairs service. ✉️🔗

Gas Engineer

Location: Barnsley

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 01-04-2026

WPS are excited to offer an excellent opportunity for a skilled Gas Engineer to join our Responsive Maintenance team in the Barnsley area.You’ll play a key role in delivering high‑quality servicing, repairs, maintenance, and installation works that ensure residents feel safe, supported, and well‑cared‑for. If you take pride in your craftsmanship and want to work within a team that truly values quality and customer care, this could be the perfect next step.What You’ll Be Doing Completing domestic gas servicing, repairs, maintenance, and installation to a consistently high standard, in full compliance with gas safety regulations. Identifying follow‑on trade requirements and updating your Supervisor promptly. Working both independently and as part of a close‑knit team when required. Using a PDA device to receive, manage, and close allocated jobs. Managing your workload efficiently to maintain productivity and excellent service delivery. Adapting to business needs with a flexible approach, including participating in the out‑of‑hours call‑out rota. Providing exceptional customer service, ensuring residents feel respected and well‑supported. Maintaining full compliance with Wates’ Health & Safety Professional Standards and safeguarding commitments.Required QualificationsYou must hold the following Gas Qualifications: CCN1 HTR1 CENWAT CKR1Essential Experience: Strong background in gas servicing, repairs, and maintenance Experience working in private and/or social housing environments Full UK Driving Licence (company van included for business use following work‑shadowing period)Desirable Qualifications NVQ Level 2 in PlumbingA willingness to undertake additional training , particularly in renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps is strongly encouraged as we continue to evolve our services.Wates are committed to the fair treatment of people with criminal records, including employees and potential employees. We ensure that our recruitment, promotion, and retention activity does not treat people less favourably because of an offending background. 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

Multi Trader

Location: Brixton

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 01-04-2026

At WPS, we’re committed to creating safe, well‑maintained homes and communities across the UK. As part of our Property Services division, we maintain over 500,000 social housing homes, ensuring tenants live in secure, comfortable environments. 🏘️We’re looking for a skilled Multi-Trader to join our Lambeth Disrepair team, working from our base in Brixton Hill, London, and focusing on disrepair works and responsive maintenance in tenanted social housing properties.🔧 Your Role Carry out reactive and preventative repairs in occupied homes Tackle disrepair issues across multiple trades: carpentry, plumbing, tiling, plastering Ensure all work is completed safely, efficiently, and to high standards Communicate clearly with tenants while maintaining a respectful, professional approach Record work details and materials used on daily job sheets Uphold Wates’ Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies🧰 What You’ll Bring NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in a relevant trade (carpentry, plumbing, plastering, tiling, or electrics) Experience working in occupied properties and handling disrepair cases Strong communication and problem‑solving skills Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines A commitment to delivering excellent service to tenants🌟 Why Wates? Be part of a team that’s making a real difference in people’s lives Work with a company that values quality, safety, and community impact Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities to grow and develop📩 Apply now and help us improve homes and lives — one repair at a time.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 offences. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to further pre‑employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click the following link: National Security Vetting

Project Surveyor

Location: Cambridge

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 01-04-2026

Wates have an opportunity for a Project Surveyor to join our WPS team within our WPS Housing Maintenance division. You will be working in the Cambridgeshire area on our social housing contracts. You will be expected to take accountability for the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting. Key Accountabilities will include: Develop and encourage project team performance encouraging and ensuring that Wates’ main contractual obligations and or strategies are executed and regularly reviewed Complete and submit monthly Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) and progress reports Demonstrate understanding of internal and external tender strategies / build up Agree external valuations / cash flow to maximise project value Work with the Commercial Manager to agree and produce main and subcontract final accounts Ensure all Wates subcontract management / process obligations are complete with particular reference to Procurement, Measurement and valuation, Contractual instructions / notices / orders as well as Health and SafetyTo be successful in the role you will already have relevant commercial skills and experience including the ability to maximise value recovery, cost control and cash management as well as effectively use / understand financial reports and final accounts. Social housing retrofit experience is essential and SHDF is preferable but not a deal breaker.Alongside this you will be a confident communicator, able to demonstrate the ability to form and develop relationships with the client, Project Surveyors, design team and supply chain. You will also be committed to leading and developing commercial site teams.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 One of the Recruitment Team will be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of the next step.

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