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

Divisional Commercial Manager

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 23-02-2026

📢 We're Hiring: Divisional Commercial ManagerLocation: Various sites across the West and East Midlands, with key offices in Redditch, Tamworth, and WalsallBusiness Unit: WPSAre you a commercially driven leader with a passion for delivering high-quality housing solutions? We’re looking for a Divisional Commercial Manager to join our WPS Business, overseeing a diverse portfolio of contracts across Planned Works, High-Rise Refurbishments, and Decarbonisation/Net Zero Retrofit projects.This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership in driving commercial performance and strategic growth across a range of long- and short-term contracts.🔧 What You’ll Be Doing: Leading the commercial strategy across multiple social housing contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Managing project P&L, forecasts, valuations, and reporting to ensure financial targets are met or exceeded. Collaborating with operational teams to optimise contract performance and client satisfaction. Supporting contract mobilisation, implementation, and continuous improvement. Driving innovation and identifying new opportunities for growth and efficiency.✅ What We’re Looking For: Proven experience in commercial management within the social housing, construction, or maintenance sector. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with a track record of delivering profitable outcomes. Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Experience working across varied contract types and durations.🎓 Ideal Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent. RICS accreditation (preferred).If you're ready to lead with impact and help shape the future of social housing delivery, we’d love to hear from you.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 Interested?Once you apply a member of the Recruitment Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

Multi Skilled Joiner

Location: Skelmersdale

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 23-02-2026

We are currently seeking a skilled and reliable Multiskilled Joiner to join our responsive maintenance team working on a social housing contract in the Skelmersdale area.🔧 Key Responsibilities: Carry out responsive maintenance works including repairs, replacements, and installations across occupied and void properties. Deliver high-quality joinery work in line with health and safety standards and customer expectations. Work independently and as part of a team to complete tasks efficiently and professionally. Liaise with tenants and housing officers to ensure minimal disruption and excellent service delivery.✅ Requirements: NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a relevant trade (Joinery/Carpentry). Full UK Driving Licence – essential for travel between properties. Proven experience in social housing or domestic maintenance environments. Strong communication skills and a customer-focused approach. Ability to work flexibly and respond to emergency call-outs when required.💼 What We Offer: Competitive salary and benefits package. Company vehicle and fuel card. Ongoing training and development opportunities. Supportive team environment and career progression.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

Processing Assistant

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Financial

Application Deadline: 23-02-2026

✨ Processing Assistant (12‑month Fixed Term Contract)📍 Finsbury Park🏢 WPS🌟 Join Our Finance & Processing Team at WPS!We’re looking for a detail‑driven and motivated Processing Assistant to help keep our supply chain running smoothly. You'll play a key role in invoice management, compliance, and supplier relationships – supporting the business in delivering its core objectives.If you love organisation, accuracy, and working with high‑volume financial data, this role is for you!🔧 What You’ll Be Doing📑 Supplier & Invoice Processing Process supplier invoices on COINS within agreed timelines. Resolve invoice queries quickly and professionally. Ensure invoices are paid on time. Allocate direct debit payments correctly and promptly. Reconcile supplier statements to COINS every month. Reconcile interdependent systems (e.g., Impact Response vs COINS) for accurate job costing. Check all invoices for VAT and CIS compliance 🧾. Support scheduled payment runs and help reduce off‑schedule payments by monitoring KPIs. Maintain accurate supplier information within COINS.📊 Additional Support Produce ad‑hoc financial reports when needed. Highlight any non‑compliance to strengthen internal processes.🔎 What We’re Looking For✔ Essential Experience in a financial environment within a large organisation. Comfortable handling high volumes of invoices. Strong understanding of CIS (Construction Industry Scheme).⭐ Desirable COINS experience. Knowledge of the construction industry. Great communication skills across all levels. Strong Excel and general Microsoft Office skills. High attention to detail 🔍 Reliable time‑management and ability to meet deadlines ⏳💙 Why WPS?You’ll join a supportive, detail‑focused team invested in continuous improvement. This is a great opportunity to develop your finance and processing skills within a respected organisation.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 Design Manager

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 13-02-2026

WPS are looking for a highly skilled Senior Design Manager to lead the delivery of planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes within high-rise buildings, as well as retrofit projects across the North West. This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical background and leadership experience in managing complex design challenges in occupied homes, including higher-risk buildings.Key Responsibilities Lead design teams through all RIBA stages, ensuring compliance with Building Safety Act and Building Safety Regulator Gateway process. Manage design risk and assurance processes, particularly for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Oversee BIM Level 2 and digital design coordination. Deliver retrofit schemes that meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Maintain the golden thread of information throughout the project lifecycle. Collaborate with stakeholders on occupied building works and planned maintenance schemes.Qualifications Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management. Strong understanding of HRB design compliance, fire safety, and structural integrity. Proficient in BIM Level 2 and digital design tools.Skills Proven leadership in managing design risk for HRBs. Expertise in RIBA stage management and regulatory compliance. Familiarity with retrofit design principles, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Excellent problem-solving, coordination, and communication skills.Experience Leading design teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects. Experience in planned maintenance schemes and occupied building works. Managing design assurance and maintaining the golden thread of project 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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