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

Electrician

Location: Barnsley

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 31-03-2026

WPS are looking for a qualified and motivated Electrician to join our responsive maintenance team, delivering high-quality electrical repairs and installations across social housing properties in the Barnsley area.🔍 What you’ll do: Carry out electrical repairs, fault finding, and installations in occupied and void properties. Ensure all work complies with current regulations and safety standards. Respond to emergency call-outs and urgent maintenance requests. Work collaboratively with tenants, housing officers, and other trades.✅ What you’ll need: Level 3 NVQ or equivalent in Electrical Installation 18th Edition Wiring Regulations 2391 Inspection & Testing qualification (or equivalent) Experience in social housing or domestic maintenance is highly desirable. A full UK driving licence.💡 Why join us? Be part of a supportive and skilled team. Ongoing training and development opportunities. Company vehicle and tools provided. Pension scheme, holiday allowance, and other benefits.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

Operations Manager

Location: Sheffield

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 24-03-2026

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Operations Manager to lead and deliver planned social housing projects across a multitude of works including, retrofit, elementals or FRA/HRB across properties throughout the North East and Yorkshire.This is a senior operational role, ideal for someone with a strong background in planned works within social housing, ideally having worked on retrofit, elementals or FRA/HRB projects, who has operated at Tier 1 contractor level and is confident managing multiple programmes, teams, and client relationships.The RoleAs Operations Manager, you will have full responsibility for the successful delivery of retrofit-focused planned works programmes, ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, on time, and within budget.Key responsibilities include: Overall operational leadership of planned social housing retrofit programmes Managing multiple contracts and workstreams across occupied properties Leading, developing, and motivating Project Managers, Site Managers, and support teams Ensuring full compliance with health & safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory standards Overseeing programme performance, cost control, and delivery against KPIs Acting as the senior operational point of contact for clients and stakeholders Driving continuous improvement, efficiencies, and best practice across delivery teams Supporting mobilisation of new contracts and retrofit programmes where requiredAbout YouTo be successful in this role, you will ideally have: Proven experience as an Operations Manager (or Senior Contracts / Senior Project Manager ready to step up) A strong background in planned social housing works, ideally retrofit / decarbonisation/elemental/FRA/HRB projects Experience working for a Tier 1 contractor delivering large-scale housing programmes Excellent leadership and people management skills Strong commercial awareness and operational control Experience working in occupied environments A proactive, solutions-focused approach with excellent stakeholder management skills Full UK driving licenceWhat’s On Offer A senior leadership role within a growing and forward-thinking business Long-term planned works schemed Opportunity to play a key role in delivering net zero and decarbonisation initiatives Competitive salary and benefits package Career development and progression opportunitiesGiven 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 Engineer

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 31-03-2026

Resident Engineer Location: Think Park, ManchesterWe are looking for a proactive and skilled Resident Engineer to join our team based at Think Park, Manchester. In this role, you’ll provide on-site engineering support, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high‑quality delivery of maintenance and repairs across the estate.What you’ll do: Deliver reactive and planned maintenance Carry out diagnostics, repairs, and minor installations Ensure compliance with health & safety standards Provide an excellent service to our client and site usersWhat we’re looking for: Relevant engineering/maintenance background Strong problem‑solving skills Customer-focused approach Ability to work independently on a busy, dynamic siteIf you’re a reliable engineer who takes pride in delivering quality work, we’d love to hear from you.Apply now to join the WPS team at Think Park!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

Supervisor

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 15-03-2026

The Vacancy🌟 We're Hiring: Supervisor 🌟📍 Location: Finsbury Park💰 Salary: Competitive🏢 Contract Type: Full-timeAre you a natural leader with a passion for delivering high-quality maintenance services? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and know how to get the best out of your team? If so, we want to hear from you!🔧 About the RoleAs a Supervisor, you’ll support the Project Lead and manage a team of administrators, operatives, and subcontractors across various workstreams including Voids, Disrepair, Day-to-Day Repairs, and Planned Works. You’ll ensure service excellence, drive performance, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.You’ll also step up to lead the contract when needed—making this a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to grow into a senior leadership role.🗂️ Key Responsibilities Lead and support your team to meet KPIs and service standards Manage scheduling, inspections, and quality control Conduct 1-2-1s, toolbox talks, and team meetings Liaise with clients and produce performance reports Oversee health & safety and ensure compliance Support onboarding, training, and development of staff🎯 What We’re Looking For Strong leadership and communication skills Trade-related qualifications (SSSTS, Asbestos Awareness, Scaffold Inspections) Experience in housing maintenance and site management Commercial awareness and ability to manage budgets Proficiency in Microsoft Office and report writing A proactive, supportive, and assertive approach Must hold a valid UK driving licence🚀 Why Join Us? Be part of a dynamic and supportive team Opportunity for career progression to Senior Supervisor or Contract/Operations Manager Make a real impact in your community Work in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter📩 Ready to Apply?If you're ready to take the next step in your career and lead with purpose, apply today and help us build better communities—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 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.