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

Mobile Foot Engineer Central London

Location: London

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 31-03-2026

Foot Mobile – Electrical EngineerLocation: Central LondonHours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00Reports To: Mobile Team LeadContract Type: Permanent, Full-TimeRole OverviewWe are seeking a skilled and proactive Foot Mobile Electrical Engineer to join our London-based maintenance team. The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out electrical repairs, small works, and maintenance across a portfolio of commercial sites. This is a hands-on role for an experienced engineer who takes pride in delivering high-quality work and reliable service.Key Responsibilities Carry out electrical fault finding, repairs, and small installation works across multiple client sites. Perform emergency lighting repairs and testing, ensuring systems meet statutory and company compliance standards. Support wider building services operations, assisting with general electrical maintenance when required. Record all work and asset information accurately via the CAFM system (elogs) — full training will be provided. Ensure all electrical work complies with current IET wiring regulations (BS 7671). Diagnose and rectify faults in a timely and efficient manner to minimise downtime. Communicate effectively with clients and team members, maintaining a professional approach at all times. Follow company health, safety, and environmental procedures.Skills & Experience Required Fully qualified Electrician – NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. 18th Edition Wiring Regulations essential & Part 1 & Part 2 (Electrical Installation) Proven experience within commercial building services maintenance. Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively. Good IT literacy; familiarity with CAFM systems beneficial (training provided). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Additional Information No callout rota required. Opportunities for overtime and additional works. Company uniform and training provided. Excellent opportunity for career growth within a supportive and professional team.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

Scheduler

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Cost Planning

Application Deadline: 20-02-2026

Scheduler Location: ManchesterContract: Full-time, PermanentWPS is looking for a proactive and organised Scheduler to join our team in Manchester. In this key role, you’ll be responsible for efficiently planning and allocating work to our operational teams, ensuring responsive repairs and maintenance activities are delivered on time and to a high standard.Key Responsibilities: Schedule and coordinate engineers’ workloads to meet service level agreements Communicate effectively with customers, engineers, and supervisors Monitor job progress, rearranging appointments where needed Maintain accurate records and update systems in real time Support the wider team to deliver excellent customer serviceAbout You: Strong organisational and time-management skills Confident communicator with a customer-focused approach Experience in scheduling, coordination, or a similar fast-paced role (housing/repairs sector experience desirable) Comfortable using scheduling or CRM systemsIf you thrive in a busy environment and enjoy problem-solving, we’d love to hear from you.Apply today to join WPS and help us deliver great service to our customers.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

Service Desk Analyst

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: IT Support

Application Deadline: 05-02-2026

✨ Join WPS as a Service Desk Analyst ✨Are you organised, detail‑driven, and passionate about delivering great technical support?WPS is looking for a Service Desk Analyst to join our dedicated team of ten Application Support professionals and 1st Line Support specialists. You’ll play a key role in keeping our bespoke applications running smoothly — including Maintain and FLS VISITOUR.🔧 What You’ll Be DoingUser Account Management Set up new user accounts with the correct access permissions Process leaver requests, including deactivations and secure data handlingApplication Administration Carry out routine admin tasks across our bespoke systems Help maintain accurate system data, records, and documentation1st Line Support Respond to incoming support tickets — troubleshoot, triage, and escalate where needed Provide excellent customer service to end users and internal teams⭐ What You Bring Experience in 1st line support or service desk roles (desirable) Understanding of working with bespoke or operational applications Strong communication, problem‑solving, and organisational skills A collaborative, team‑focused approach🌟 Why WPS? Join a supportive, friendly team Work with interesting, business‑critical bespoke systems Opportunities for learning, development, and career progression📩 Ready to Apply?If you’re excited by the idea of supporting key business applications and helping users solve problems every day, we’d love to hear from you.Apply today and help shape the future of high‑quality support at WPS!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

Site Manager

Location: Leamington Spa

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 25-02-2026

WPS Planned Division 📍 Leamington SpaAbout the ProjectWPS Planned Division is delivering a significant programme of works for one of our existing social housing partners focused on retrofit, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation.The project includes insulation upgrades, new roofs, windows, and doors, alongside innovative digital and renewable technologies such as smart thermostats, heat pumps, and solar panels. These works are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs for residents, aligned with SHDF and similar funding frameworks.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced and hands-on Site Manager to oversee planned works across the Leamington Spa area. You will take full responsibility for day-to-day site operations, leading teams to deliver works safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards, while maintaining excellent client and resident relationships.Key ResponsibilitiesAs Site Manager, you will: Programme Management: Plan, coordinate, and monitor short-term programmes of work to ensure timely and efficient delivery Team Leadership: Manage direct labour and subcontractors, ensuring performance targets, quality standards, and specifications are met Health & Safety: Ensure full compliance with H&S legislation, company procedures, and site documentation requirements Site Standards: Maintain high standards of attendance, conduct, housekeeping, and PPE compliance Resource Management: Ensure all operatives and subcontractors are correctly qualified, inducted, and equipped Quality Control: Monitor workmanship, manage defects, and respond to client variations Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Attend inspections and meetings, providing clear and regular progress updates Reporting: Produce accurate reports covering health & safety, programming, and labour attendance Commercial Awareness: Work closely with the commercial team to support cost control and overall project successWho You’ll Work With Directly employed workforce Subcontractors and suppliers Internal operational and commercial teams Clients, residents, and key stakeholdersAbout YouYou will be a proactive and organised Site Manager with proven experience delivering SHDF-funded or similar retrofit, energy efficiency, or decarbonisation projects, ideally within social housing or occupied environments. You’ll be a confident leader with strong communication skills and a commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.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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