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.

6,000

Employees (2024)

£2.18bn

Turnover (2023)

£225m

Social value generated (2023)

45%

Reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline

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

Hard Landscaper / Groundworker

Location: Skelmersdale

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 10-01-2025

Here at Wates, we have an opportunity for a Hard Landscaper to join us in our Wates Living Space Responsive Maintenance Team in West Lancashire area. You will be asked to undertake all supporting tasks with a high standard of workmanship which will ensure an excellent customer service every time. We are particularly keen to speak to candidates who have experience within the following scope of works: Brickwork Fencing Flagging Pointing Tarmacking Key Accountabilities will include: Loading and Unloading of Vehicle Distribution of materials General brickwork, fencing, typical hard landscaping duties as the project requires. General clearing and cleaning of site areas to appropriate waste disposal methods We are looking for you to already have the relevant skills as a Hard Landscaper and experience to fulfil the above role requirements. To be successful in the role you also be an excellent communicator with the ability to problem solve, multitask and work to tight deadlines.

Project Manager

Location: Derby

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 10-01-2025

Here at Wates have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to join our Planned Maintenance team in the Tamworth/Derby area. You will be managing multiple projects within the area so we need someone who is flexible and ok with travel. Working with the team and the client (a social housing provider) to ensure the projects runs smoothly is key so you need to be a strong leader and have great communication skills. The primary focus of this role will be to provide visible leadership and direction along with foresight and insight in the safe and profitable delivery of schemes to Wates. Key Accountabilities will include: Develop and implement detailed programmes and schedules which allow accurate monitoring and reporting of progress. Identify the quality expectations and embrace these in the Quality Plan. Implement all statutory regulatory and company requirements for managing Health and Safety. Secure and manage the appropriate resources to deliver the project / scheme effectively and efficiently in a professional manner to ensure successful delivery within project constraints. Ensure there is a successful and smooth handover of the project, including support to customer/ end user throughout the handover process. Establish a communications plan and agree accountabilities for team members. We are looking for a qualified, experienced and professional Project Manager from a property services/construction background who has experience of managing social housing projects. What we offer: Competitive salary, plus performance related reviews, opportunities for growth and advancement within the team Extensive corporate benefits including, Pension, Health and Wellness programme, Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity and up to 12 weeks fully paid paternity. A bit about us: Wates Group is one of the largest and most successful family-owned private construction, development and property services companies in the UK.  Within the Group, Wates Living Space is one of the UK’s leading providers of planned and responsive maintenance services in the social housing sector, maintaining over 500,000 homes nationwide every year. Our leading position within the maintenance sector has enabled the business to realise ambitious strategic growth, offering our clients a truly integrated national service for all of their maintenance requirements. As a progressive and rewarding business we offer our people the opportunity to grow their careers whilst working together to deliver the promises we make to our customers.   Our company values of integrity, intelligence, performance, teamwork and respect for people, communities and the environment run through our business at every level and are at the heart of everything we do.   The wellbeing and safety of our people is our priority, therefore creating a zero harm culture and encouraging a healthy work-life balance is important to us.  Wates Group are a responsible and inclusive employer and are proud to have been recognised for this through accolades including C2E (Committed to Equality) and Investors in People (Gold).

Administrator

Location: Swadlincote

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 09-01-2025

Here at Wates, we have an exciting opportunity for an Administrator to join our Living Space Responsive Maintenance team based in the South Derby area. As an administrator you will engage within the full administration process and provide on-going customer support for the team and tenants. Key Accountabilities will include: On-going management and development of multiple project trackers. Frequent contact with site management to ensure project trackers represent current job status. Create and maintain various data streams on in-house systems and databases. First line support for enquires and complaints. Overall administration duties as required by the contract. We are looking for an Administrator who is a confident communicator, computer literate with experience in Excel and trackers. Experience working in construction/facilities management/or maintenance is preferred but not essential. To be successful in this role you will be a team player who can manage their own workload, has a good attention to detail and most of all have a ‘can do’ attitude. What we offer: Competitive salary, plus performance related reviews, opportunities for growth and advancement within the team Extensive corporate benefits including, Pension, Health and Wellness programme, 22 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, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. A bit about us: Wates Group is one of the largest and most successful family-owned private construction, development and property services companies in the UK. Within the Group, Wates Living Space is one of the UK’s leading providers of planned and responsive maintenance services in the social housing sector, maintaining over 500,000 homes nationwide every year. Our leading position within the maintenance sector has enabled the business to realise ambitious strategic growth, offering our clients a truly integrated national service for all of their maintenance requirements. As a progressive and rewarding business we offer our people the opportunity to grow their careers whilst working together to deliver the promises we make to our customers. Our company values of integrity, intelligence, performance, teamwork and respect for people, communities and the environment run through our business at every level and are at the heart of everything we do. The wellbeing and safety of our people is our priority, therefore creating a zero harm culture and encouraging a healthy work-life balance is important to us.  Wates Group are a responsible and inclusive employer and are proud to have been recognized for this through accolades including C2E (Committed to Equality) and Investors in People (Gold).

Mobile Engineer

Location: High Wycombe

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 09-01-2025

Mobile Engineer – Electrical Location: South East Job Type: Full Time Contract Type: Permanent Here at Wates, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Mobile Engineer to join our Facilities Management mobile team supporting our clients based in the London & Southeast region. Due to the nature of the role and managing multiple contracts travel will be required so flexibility is required. The main objective is for you to carry out Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) to HVAC plant, including Reactive Maintenance and extra works/emergencies in accordance with the contract requirements on Mechanical Services. Due to the nature of the works, we are exceptionally keen to speak to candidates with a strong background in mechanical & electrical works ABOUT YOU To be successful in this role, you will ideally have the following: Knowledge of Heating & Air Conditioning Systems Previous FM experience managing multiple sites Strong Electrical & HVAC Experience Have previously worked as a mobile engineer 18th Edition C&G 2367 or 2357 (Electrical Installation) and NVQ level 3 in Electrical Installations or equivalent qualifications What is important to us is your natural communication skills to deliver high levels of customer service at all times, your ability to effectively multi-task, work to tight deadlines and problem solve on the job; whilst always promoting health & safety excellence. ABOUT THE ROLE Key Accountabilities will include: Ensure all works are delivered in guidance of the legislation and contractual obligations Utilise CAFM/PDA technology for real time job updates, and provide detailed/comprehensive reports on works delivered To respond in a prompt and effective manner to all reactive maintenance issues and help desk requests associated with the heating and ventilation systems, pumps, water tanks, valves, pipe work and associated mechanical systems or items To respond to call outs and cover breakdowns and emergencies associated with the mechanical services aspects of the contract as required. In return, we offer a competitive salary, additional pay when on call, along with 22 days holiday, Pension benefits, life Insurance, and a flexible benefits scheme that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle. *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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