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

Bid Director

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Bid

Application Deadline: 27-03-2026

We are seeking an experienced Bid Director to lead our bid services function and play a critical role in delivering our business growth strategy for WPS including Housing Maintenance, FM and LibertyYou will be accountable for setting and executing the bid strategy that supports both strategic and organic growth, ensuring bids are high quality, competitive and fully compliant with governance and operating frameworks. Leading a team of senior bid professionals, you will drive consistency, performance and continuous improvement across all bid activity.The role sits at the centre of the business’s work‑winning activity and demands strong commercial insight, strategic leadership and the credibility to influence at Board and senior leadership level.Key responsibilities Develop and deliver the bid services strategy aligned to the overall business growth plan. Own bid governance, processes and approval frameworks, ensuring compliance with delegated authority and operating standards. Lead the bid services operational plan to support 12‑month, 3‑year and 5‑year growth targets. Provide senior oversight and challenge on major bids (typically £10m+), maximising value and managing risk. Lead, manage and develop a high‑performing bid team (c. 12 people). Maintain and improve bid success rates through effective targeting, quality assurance and performance management. Ensure alignment and consistency of bid services across business units and partners. Establish KPIs, reporting and competitor intelligence to track performance and inform strategy. Ensure all bids meet SHEQ, industry and governance requirements. Drive continuous improvement through feedback, benchmarking, training and tools.About youYou will bring extensive experience leading bid or work‑winning teams within a relevant sector, with strong commercial and strategic capability and a track record of delivering high‑value, complex bids. You are a confident senior leader with excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, highly organised, action‑oriented and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environmentWhy join us?This is a high‑impact leadership role with real influence over how we win work and grow the WPS business. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, shape long‑term strategy and lead a critical function at the heart of our success.

Customer Service Manager

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Customer Service

Application Deadline: 13-03-2026

We’re looking for an experienced Customer Service Manager to lead and oversee customer services on our social housing responsive maintenance contracts in London.This is a key leadership role, responsible for ensuring residents receive a consistently high‑quality, responsive and empathetic service. You’ll manage customer-facing teams and processes, oversee complaints and performance, and work closely with operational colleagues to drive service improvements and customer satisfaction across the contract.If you’re passionate about customer experience, thrive in a fast‑paced environment and have experience within social housing or repairs and maintenance, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to residents’ lives.What you’ll be doing Lead, motivate and develop customer services teams including schedulers, customer liaison officers and administrators Own the end‑to‑end customer journey for responsive repairs, ensuring excellent communication and timely resolution Manage customer complaints effectively, producing high‑quality responses and preventing escalation Analyse complaint data, customer feedback and KPIs to identify trends and drive continuous service improvement Monitor work‑in‑progress, identifying risks to performance and taking proactive action Work closely with Contract Managers, Supervisors and planners to ensure service delivery meets contractual standards Produce regular performance reports and insights for internal and client stakeholders Champion a customer‑first culture while ensuring compliance with health, safety and operational frameworksWhat we’re looking for Proven experience in a Customer Service Manager or similar role within social housing responsive maintenance or repairs Strong leadership skills with experience managing customer service or scheduling teams Confident handling complaints, performance management and service recovery Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across operational and senior stakeholder groups Highly organised, data‑driven and able to thrive in a fast‑moving, high‑volume environment A genuine commitment to delivering outstanding service to residentsGiven 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

Plasterer

Location: Walton-On-Thames

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 27-03-2026

🛠️ Plasterer – Walton-on-Thames (Responsive Maintenance)Join the WPS Team – Make a Difference in Social HousingWPS has an exciting opportunity for a skilled Plasterer to join our Responsive Maintenance division, operating from our Walton-on-Thames base. You’ll be delivering high‑quality reactive maintenance services to our valued residents as part of a social housing contract.🔧 What You’ll Be Doing • Carrying out plastering repairs, skimming, patching, rendering, and renewal works across a range of properties.• Ensuring all plastering work is completed to a high standard of finish and durability.• Advising your Supervisor when additional specialist trades are required.• Working independently or as part of a team with other operatives.• Completing daily work sheets detailing tasks, time, and materials used.• Maintaining productivity and ensuring timely completion of assigned tasks.🚗 Requirements • Full UK driving licence is essential.• NVQ Level 2 in Plastering or a similar trade qualification.• Proven experience in domestic plastering within maintenance or repair environments.• Ability to deliver high-quality workmanship consistently.• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.• Customer‑focused attitude with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.💬 Why Join WPS?At WPS, we’re committed to building communities and improving lives. You’ll be part of a supportive, inclusive team that values your skillset and encourages your professional growth.Ready to make an impact? Apply now and help us deliver the high-quality maintenance services our communities deserve.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

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: Southampton

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 27-03-2026

We are looking for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our team on a new build housing scheme in Eastleigh. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious commercial professional who is passionate about construction, motivated to challenge the norm, and keen to progress within a supportive and high performing team.As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will take commercial ownership of a project or defined package of works, leading the commercial team and ensuring robust pre‑ and post‑contract delivery. You will work closely with internal teams, clients and supply chain partners to maximise value, maintain compliance and protect commercial viability.As a Senior Quantity Surveyor you will: Manage the project commercial team ensuring all Wates Main Contract obligations are met and process obligations are complete with particular reference to Procurement, Sub-contract orders, Managing Supply Chain, Measurements and Valuations, Contractual Notices and Valuing Change Complete and submit Monthly Cost Reports, Procurement Strategy Updates and Internal/External Progress Reports alongside developing and implementing internal and external tender stage and delivery strategies. Agree external valuations upstream/downstream to maintain a positive project cashflow and produce and agree main and subcontract final accounts.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car 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… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.

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