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

Building Services Manager MEP

Location: Guildford

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 07-01-2026

Wates Group is seeking an MEP Manager in Guildford. You’ll play a key role on a major residential schemes, delivering high-quality new homes to local communities.This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to projects that make a real difference, while supporting excellence in mechanical and electrical (M&E) services delivery.ABOUT THE ROLEAs an MEP Manager, you will support the operations team by ensuring first-class sustainable M&E performance, while complying with Wates Group’s Operating Framework and corporate policies. Your focus will be on leadership, value creation, and delivering best-in-class building services.As our MEP Manager, you will: Manage the engineering workforce delivering hard M&E services, compliance, and Operating Framework (OF) delivery. Support the planning and delivery of extra works and M&E/fabric-related projects. Monitor the M&E programme alignment with the Wates Residential construction schedule. Organise and lead M&E progress meetings; liaise with operational site teams and external stakeholders. Lead mobilisation of new buildings across a dynamic property portfolio, including due diligence, risk assessments, and dilapidation surveys. Ensure company policies and procedures are consistently applied across the region. We are looking for an experienced and driven professional with proven experience managing MEP projects valued at £15m or more. Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate technical teams. Expertise in building services compliance and health & safety regulations. A proactive approach to problem-solving and stakeholder communication and knowledge of M&E systems in residential construction.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.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/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

IT Business Analyst

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: IT Support

Application Deadline: 24-12-2025

✨ IT Business Analyst ✨📍 Location: Finsbury Park (with occasional travel)🏢 Business Unit: Responsive Maintenance💰 Salary: Competitive + Benefits📄 Contract: Full-time, PermanentAbout the RoleWe’re looking for an experienced IT Business Analyst to join our Responsive Maintenance business unit. This is an exciting opportunity to work on roadmaps & scheduling solutions, helping shape the future of our operations. You’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the business to understand challenges, define requirements, and deliver innovative IT solutions that drive efficiency and improvement. 🚀Key Responsibilities✅ Work with internal stakeholders to identify business problems and define requirements for future-state solutions.✅ Plan and manage analysis tasks throughout the project lifecycle.✅ Use best-practice tools to elicit, document, and validate functional and non-functional requirements.✅ Develop robust business cases and support feasibility studies.✅ Collaborate with internal IT teams and external suppliers to design, test, and implement solutions.✅ Support test planning and execution for small to medium-sized projects.✅ Contribute to developing internal business analysis competency and best practices.What We’re Looking For🔍 3+ years’ experience in a Business Analyst role, ideally with IT solution delivery.🎓 Business Analyst qualification (or equivalent experience).🛠 Experience with FEM systems.🤝 Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.💡 Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.📈 Passion for growth and progression – we want someone who’s eager to develop their career. 🚄 Open to occasional travel as required.Desirable🏗 Experience within the construction industry would be an advantage.Why Join Us?🌟 A fantastic opportunity to make an impact and grow within a forward-thinking organisation.🤝 Be part of a collaborative team, working on meaningful projects that improve operational efficiency and customer experience.Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today and help us shape the future of responsive maintenance! 🚀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

IT Project Manager

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: IT Support

Application Deadline: 07-01-2026

🚀 IT Project Manager – Join WPS! 🌟📍 Location: Finsbury Park (with occasional travel to Manchester)🕒 Experience: 5+ years in IT Project Management About the RoleWe’re looking for a dynamic IT Project Manager to join our WPS team, driving IT investment strategies and delivering high-impact projects across our property services business. You’ll work closely with our Facilities Management Business Analyst to define requirements, select suppliers, ensure compliance, and implement robust project processes.This is a fantastic opportunity to own projects end-to-end, from planning and governance to delivery and stakeholder engagement. If you thrive on challenges and love making things happen, this role is for you! 💪What You’ll Do✅ Lead IT projects within the Operational Application Programme✅ Define scope, outputs, timelines, and budgets✅ Manage risks, compliance reporting, and supplier selection✅ Collaborate with stakeholders across the business✅ Drive projects using Agile and formal methodologies✅ Ensure successful delivery of technical and business solutionsWhat We’re Looking For✨ Proven experience: 5+ years as an IT Project Manager✨ Methodology expertise: PRINCE2 (or similar), Agile experience✨ Strong communication & leadership skills✨ Organised & detail-oriented – able to juggle multiple priorities✨ FM sector experience (Facilities Management) is a big plus!Why Join Us?🌍 Work on strategic IT investments shaping the future of property services🤝 Collaborative, supportive team environment📈 Opportunities for growth and development🏢 Based in Finsbury Park, with flexibility and occasional travelReady to make an impact? Apply now and help us deliver the future of IT in property services! 🚀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

Regional Commercial Manager

Location: Basingstoke

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 09-01-2026

Wates Group looking for an experienced Regional Commercial Manager to join our Southern Residential business and play a pivotal role in driving commercial excellence across multiple developments. Reporting to the Regional Commercial Director, you’ll lead the commercial function in supporting our work winning activities whilst ensuring robust cost control, accurate forecasting, and strategic procurement to deliver high-quality homes on time and within budget.As a Regional Commercial Manager, you will: Oversee all commercial activities across the region, including cost planning, tendering, and contract management. Develop profit maximisation strategies and ensure they are implemented. Develop the commercial team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Ensure accurate financial reporting, forecasting, and budgetary control for all projects. Manage and foster customer, supplier and subcontractor relationships to achieve best value. Drive compliance with company policies, health & safety standards, and legal requirements. Contribute to regional strategy, supporting growth and profitability targets.About you: Proven experience in a senior commercial role within residential housebuilding with exposure of £100m+ projects. Able to work at pace whilst maintaining required standards Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams. Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and attention to detail. Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).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… 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.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

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