Royal reception for Wates
The newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art Leatherhead-based headquarters of Wates Group received a royal visitor today, as HRH The Princess Royal presented the company with The Queens Award for Enterprise, Sustainable Development.
Teams from Wates Smartspace worked round the clock to ensure months of work were completed in time for Her Royal Highness, as she arrived at a special reception to present the company with the Award, the second time in the company’s history.
The Award was made in recognition of the Groups work with social enterprises, as well as its commitment to providing training and employment opportunities for young people, particularly apprentices and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The company previously received The Queens Award in 2011.
The Princess Royal met employees from all parts of the business, as well as representatives from Community Wood Recycling, a social enterprise which has worked with Wates since 2010, recycling more than 1,000 tonnes of wood waste.
Andrew Davies, CEO of Wates, welcomed Her Royal Highness and said:
“Wates has a long history of supporting society and the communities in which we work. The tireless efforts of our people who uphold our values of integrity, intelligence, teamwork, performance and respect are all reflected in receiving the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. We are immensely proud of this award and we thank you all.
His comments were echoed by James Wates CBE, Chairman of Wates Group:
“It is an honour for Wates Group to have received this award, recognising our work in Sustainable Development. We believe that good business, well done, is a force for good in society. I am proud that it is ingrained in the companys culture.
To achieve this award once in a companys history is a great achievement. But to have achieved it twice, consecutively, is truly outstanding. It is an exceptional accolade for our business and for our people.
The Princess Royal later unveiled a plaque, marking her visit to the renovated headquarters.
Disclaimer: Wates Giving awards have been renamed Wates Family Enterprise awards (March 2022)
