About Us

Together we inspire better ways of creating the places, communities and business of tomorrow.

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.

4,321

Employees (2023)

£2.18bn

Turnover (2023)

£225m

Social value generated (2023)

45%

Reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline

Wates family 2022

Creating tomorrow together

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.

Everything we do is guided by our purpose of working together to inspire better ways of creating the places, communities, and businesses of tomorrow.

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

Design Manager

Location: Thetford

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 15-05-2024

Wates Construction are looking for a Design Manager to join our Northern Home Counties Region focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Design Managers work collaboratively with our industry specialists and in-house technical experts to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Design Manager you will: Work with all relevant parties, to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to facilitate design, procurement and construction activities Support the implementation of Continuous Improvement initiatives and innovation Ensure the design has been reviewed and verified to achieve compliance and mitigate Health and Safety, design and buildability issues prior to construction and identify key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process. 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) Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Document Controller

Location: Dudley

Job Type: Document Control

Application Deadline: 15-05-2024

Here at Wates we have an opportunity for a Document Controller to join our Property Services team within our Planned Maintenance division. Working alongside an established team in the Wolverhampton office we are excited to offer hybrid working for this role. Key Accountabilities will include: Maintain, issue and distribute controlled copies of information ensuring compliance with all aspects of the design management procedures. Liaise with designers and specialist suppliers on queries regarding issues of information. Provide training to participants, designers and specialist suppliers on the project on how to use the drawing management system. Check information on drawings and troubleshoot any problems to do with the drawing management system and peripherals. Use document management and other management/collaboration tools as necessary to meet project requirements.We are looking for an experienced document controller with knowledge of contract documentation, environmental legislation and issues, risk management and life cycle cost; preferably gained within a similar environment however not essential.To be successful in this role you will have a keen eye for detail with exceptional organisational skills, the ability to work effectively in a team, along with a “can do” approach.

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Location: Leatherhead

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 08-05-2024

Wates Group is seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant (EA) to provide unparalleled support to our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This role is perfect for a proactive and insightful professional with a proven track record as an EA/PA at Board level.As the EA to the CEO, you will be a trusted point of contact for key stakeholders, demonstrating impeccable judgement and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Your credibility will be built on a history of delivering results under pressure. You will also have solid experience of navigating complex situations with diplomacy and where discretion is crucial. Also, you will need to understand the nuances of communication and demonstrate empathy and tact in all interactions.This role demands advanced diary management, event coordination, and exceptional organisational skills. You'll be a master at juggling multiple priorities and handling confidential information with the utmost care. Additionally, you will be representing our CEO Office, so requiring a confident and poised demeanour. Your presence and ability to make sound decisions will be crucial in maintaining our high standards.Key Responsibilities Strategic Diary Management: Coordinate a complex calendar, ensuring optimal use of time and resources for the CEO. Meeting and Event Coordination: Plan, organise, and oversee meetings and events, ensuring seamless execution. Communication and Correspondence: Draft, review, and edit documents with precision, demonstrating strong verbal and written communication skills. Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, acting as a trusted liaison.You will be able to work independently, demonstrating initiative in solving problems and making decisions, and the role requires energy and a positive approach (and great sense of humour!) coupled with the flexibility to embrace change in a fast-paced environment. Technical Proficiency in the full Microsoft Office suite is essential.If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role where your skills, intelligence, and gravitas are valued, we'd love to hear from you. Join Wates Group and be part of a team that sets the standard in business excellence. Apply today.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & bonus  Flexible working - this role will be based in the Leatherhead / London 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… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.  To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Processing Assistant

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Financial

Application Deadline: 15-05-2024

We have an opportunity for a Processing Assistant to join our Wates team within our Maintenance Division. You will be based out of our London office working on our purchase leger, sales ledger and credit control within a fast-paced environment and professional finance department. Key Accountabilities will include: Processing invoices within set timelines onto our Financial System and resolve any queries following the business invoice query/rejection process. Processing draft applications within set timeline onto our financial system and resolve any queries following the application query/rejection process. Deal with Aged invoices/Application – liaise with suppliers and subcontractors, resolve all ongoing query. Ensuring direct debit payments are allocated to their respective invoices and costed in a timely manner. Reconciling supplier statements to supplier account balances monthly. Running due diligence on supplier invoices and being fraudulent aware.We are looking for ambitious finance professionals with experience of working within a high-volume transaction environment with working knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger and credit control. Experience and/or knowledge of COINS financial system and of the construction industry would be advantageous but not essential. High level motivation and a desire for long term career development is essential.To be successful you will be a confident communicator, have the ability to work under pressure and have exceptional attention to detail.

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