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

Multi Trade Operative/Joiner

Location: Barnsley

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 14-03-2025

Here at Wates, we have an opportunity for a Multi Trader/Joiner to join our Living Space team in the Barnsley area. As a Multi Trader/Joiner you will be working on our responsive maintenance contracts for one of our existing social housing providers. The primary focus of this role will be to undertake all tasks to achieve first time fix and deliver a high standard of workmanship in a timely and productive manner always affording excellent customer service to the client. We are particularly interested in hearing from people who have experience in joinery. To qualify for the role, we need you to have a minimum of NVQ level 2 and a full driving licence, Key Accountabilities will include: Undertaking repair/renewal works across several trades identifying the need for other trades to undertake the repair/renewal Advising Supervisor in a timely manner where other trades are required Working in partnership with other operatives to complete projects Completing daily work sheets detailing work undertaken and materials used after each job undertaken Working in a timely and productive manner to complete project Affording excellent customer service to client representatives At all times, work to Wates Health & Safety Professional Standards, including commitment to and understanding of the company’s safeguarding policy towards children and vulnerable adults We are looking for a qualified Multi Trader/Joiner who has joinery/carpentry experience gained from working in a similar industry and environment providing them with the skills to fulfil the above role requirements. To be successful in the role you will be an excellent communicator with the ability to problem solve, multitask and work to tight deadlines.

Customer Service Assistant

Location: Leatherhead

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 13-03-2025

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Receptionist / Administrator to join the team out of our Leatherhead office, in creating a first-class front of house service on a full time basis (40 per week).To be successful in this role, you will be responsible in setting high standards for both the visual image of all areas within the office and the services delivered to them, along with maintaining a visible presence & main point of contact always.You will also be required to provide regular support to the Facilities Manager, including room bookings and catering management.Your Key Accountabilities will include: Act as the first point of contact for the general public and all levels of staff, including external contractors, suppliers and VIP visitors either face to face or by telephone. Management of visitor booking system & room booking. Ensuring all meeting room are clean, tidy and maintained throughout the day. Assist in maintaining the security of the site, through monitoring staff access and validation of visitors and contractors. Assisting the team in maintaining and updating records, files and logbooks including Lost Property, Restricted key lists and transport delivery and collection information where required We are looking for you to already have NVQ / SVQ in Customer Services Level 1-4 (Preferred but not essential) with an additional certification in office management a plus.Already working in a similar role, you will have a professional attitude and appearance and be able to think on your feet when faced with various situations. You will have solid written and verbal communication, coupled with excellent organisational skills, and able to use MS office proficiently and have hands on experience with office equipment such as Printers and video conferencing facilities.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

Customer Service Manager

Location: Skelmersdale

Job Type: Customer Service

Application Deadline: 13-03-2025

We have a fantastic new opportunity for a Customer Service Manager, to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance Division. This particular role will be working out of our Skelmersdale office working alongside one of our existing social housing partners. This is a really exciting opportunity for you to grow, develop, nurture the team and be responsible for delivering a five star customer service experience to tenants and client within the contract. Key Accountabilities will include: Manage customer communication and complaints effectively to deliver robust resolutions in a timely fashion and produce high quality complaint responses to prevent complaint escalations. To identify patterns, trends and service failures to design, implement and drive service improvements to prevent complaints. Source, review, monitor and challenge KPI data to identify shortfalls in the service and implement processes for improvement weekly, to produce monthly reports and analysis for internal and client use. Champion continuous improvement to achieve excellent operational delivery and supply chain management through proactive and clear leadership. Lead a customer services function that consists of a team of schedulers, customer liaison officers, and administrators to maximise productivity, efficiencies and effectiveness to achieve/exceed day-to-day targets across the services.We are looking for an experienced and professional Customer Service Manager with knowledge of Maintenance practices, standards and processes along with the ability to analyse technical and commercial aspects of maintenance tasks and apply solutions in terms of time, cost, quality and best use of available resources.To be successful in this role you will be an excellent communicator with the ability to influence key stakeholders and manage expectations of customers and site teams.

Planner

Location: Thetford

Job Type: Planning

Application Deadline: 13-03-2025

Wates are looking for a Project Planner to join our Construction Team in Northern Home Counties where we are focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about working within a team environment, have proven analytical and planning skills and are 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 Planners are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role is to provide an effective and professional planning and programming services for pre-contract and project teams. As our Planner you will: Take ownership of weekly progress updates, collation of as-built data, trend analysis, performance metrics and provide relative reports, through site walk-arounds & weekly meetings with the site team and supply chain. Produce mid/short term programmes with the site team, looking forward to avoid surprises, fully resourced and in conjunction with advice from the site team and key supply chain partners Demonstrate a full understanding of the project, Wates and client needs and propose and assess viable alternatives that could improve and benefit the projects successful completion Must be able to use P6 planning software with knowledge of NEC contracts an advantage but not essential. **Wider business uses ASTA powerproject. 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… 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. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/    We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.    If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.      As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.    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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