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

HR Administrator

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: HR

Application Deadline: 09-10-2025

🌟 Join Our Team as an HR Administrator! 🌟📍 Location: Finsbury Park🏢 Business Unit: WPS👥 Do you love working with people?📋 Are you highly organised and ready to grow in a well-established, family-run business?If so, we’ve got a fantastic opportunity for you!💼 About the RoleWe’re looking for a proactive and detail-oriented HR Administrator to join our WPS team. You’ll provide essential administrative support to managers and employees, helping to deliver a smooth and efficient HR service across the full employee lifecycle.🔑 Key Responsibilities✅ Manage high-volume queries via our case management system✅ Support onboarding from offer to first day (contracts, compliance, check-ins)✅ Process changes to terms and conditions (job title, hours, salary, etc.)✅ Handle leaver administration for a smooth exit experience✅ Maintain and update our HR database and trackers✅ Ensure compliance with HR policies, procedures, and SLAs✅ Guide managers and employees on HR best practices✅ Conduct audits to maintain data accuracy✅ Respond to external reference requests in line with GDPR✅ Support cyclical tasks like pay reviews, bonuses, and audits✅ Suggest improvements to enhance process efficiency🎯 What We’re Looking For✔️ Previous admin experience in a busy HR team✔️ Ideally CIPD Level 3 qualified✔️ Excellent written and verbal communication skills✔️ Confident engaging with people at all levels✔️ High attention to detail and motivation to learn🔐 Pre-Employment ChecksThis role requires a Basic DBS Check at offer stage. We assess all applicants individually and do not discriminate based on criminal records. Some roles may require additional vetting.👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-vetting-advice📩 Ready to apply or want to learn more?We’d love to hear from you!

Principal Design Manager

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 02-10-2025

Wates are looking for a Principal Design Manager to join our Construction Team focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Principal Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Principal Design Managers work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Principal Design Manager, you will: Review the current design of all projects and undertake detailed risk and opportunities appraisal to mitigating risk, enhance buildability and add value prior to construction phase In collaboration with the project team, Lead Designer and Consultant Team, produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule, to satisfy design, procurement, and construction requirements. Work closely with the Commercial and Operations Teams to ensure all design deliverables are fully coordinated, buildable and within budget. Contribute to technical workshops, value management exercises as required to align expectations in this respect 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… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 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. 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

Senior Document Controller

Location: Cambridge

Job Type: Document Control

Application Deadline: 09-10-2025

We’re on the lookout for an exceptional Senior Document Controller to play a pivotal role in supporting project teams with the structured management of Digital Information across all phases of project delivery.This is more than a traditional document control role: it’s about empowering teams to work smarter, faster, and with greater clarity by leveraging modern Common Data Environments (CDEs) and digital platforms. You’ll ensure information flows seamlessly and that every deliverable aligns with project standards and leading industry frameworks like ISO 19650.As a Senior Document Controller, you’ll be the backbone of our digital information strategy—ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency are maintained from concept to completion.Responsibilities will include: Control the Flow – Oversee information management across all stages—validate, classify, and distribute data effectively. Lead the Digital Platforms – Administer and manage Common Data Environments (CDEs) to support seamless collaboration. Track & Report – Monitor deliverables, highlight non-compliance, and maintain high-level reporting dashboards. Standardize & Streamline – Enforce naming conventions and processes in line with ISO 19650 and other key standards. Be the Point of Contact – Support teams and stakeholders with expert guidance on digital information and systems.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…  Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 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.  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

Technical Services Manager

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 09-10-2025

Technical Services Manager – London (Landmark Contract)📍 Location: City of London with occasional travel to regional offices We are seeking a highly experienced Technical Services Manager to lead our operations team in delivering exceptional M&E services, compliance, and project management across a prestigious portfolio in the City of London. This is a key leadership role focused on driving service excellence, sustainability, and continuous improvement.Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage a team of engineers and fabric technicians, ensuring consistent delivery of M&E services, compliance, and operational standards. Oversee the delivery of extra works and M&E/fabric projects, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget control. Develop and mentor direct reports, ensuring mandatory training is completed and succession planning is in place. Manage and optimise the supply chain, negotiating best value and ensuring compliance with Avetta and Construction Line standards. Conduct annual Plan Rights and regular supplier performance reviews. Support account teams with client reporting, including MI and KPI presentations. Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and consultants, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.What We’re Looking For: Proven experience in managing technical services within a multi-site, client-focused environment. Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to drive performance and foster a culture of ownership and accountability. Solid understanding of Health & Safety legislation and compliance requirements. Robust technical background with a professional qualification and hands-on experience in a trade (Electrical, Mechanical, or Gas).This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high-profile contract and make a meaningful impact across a diverse and dynamic portfolio.📩 Ready to take the next step? Apply now or contact us for more information.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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