Wates Construction eyes North West growth with promotions
Wates Construction, recently appointed to build Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Saughall Massie Fire Station, has bolstered its senior team with a double promotion as it looks to expand its presence in the region.
The move has seen Gavin Davis and John Foster promoted to Operations Director and Pre-Construction Director respectively, both of which will enhance Wates’ project delivery for public and private sector clients across the North West.
Gavin becomes Operations Director after 15 years with Wates Construction, which has seen him climb the ranks from Site Manager, Project Manager and Construction Manager to Operations Manager.
Gavin’s new role will build on his expertise in overseeing all aspects of project delivery, including pre-construction, training and development, client relations and ensuring commercial viability of Wates’ regional project portfolio.
Alongside Gavin, John Foster becomes Pre-Construction Director following a year-long post as Regional Business Director. In this position, John oversaw Wates’ position in the North West on Scape Major Works UK Framework for projects valued between £10m-£50m, to which Wates was appointed as sole contractor in 2017.
John joined Wates in 2013 as Bid Centre Manager forming part of Wates Construction’s work-winning team in the North West. As Pre-Construction Director, John’s remit will see him lead all pre-construction activity on projects through to hand over to Wates’ operations team.
Paul Dodsworth, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction North West and North East, said:
“Recognising and nurturing talent within our business is a big part of what makes Wates a leader in the industry and Gavin and John’s wealth of knowledge about our business and our regional market places them perfectly to build upon this success.
Construction in the North West is thriving and the region is becoming an increasingly attractive investment prospect for new developments, evidenced by Turner and Townsend’s* report earlier this year, which found that construction activity in the region has risen by 31% since 2016. As a trusted and expert contractor, Wates is primed to grow its presence in the region and to take a central role in the region’s growing built environment.”
Wates has also been joined in the region by Alan White who takes on the mantle of Regional Business Manager for the Scape Major Works UK Framework following John’s tenure. Alan will be responsible for driving growth of Scape Major Works UK across the North West and ensuring continuity of project delivery across the framework.
*Turner and Townsend, UK Market Intelligence Q1 2018, 11 April 2018
