Olivia Dear

Director of Sustainability and Engagement, Wates Developments

Olivia is responsible for driving Wates Developments sustainability vision and strategy. Working closely with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, Olivia works to ensure that the schemes we design and deliver support local communities and nature to thrive today and tomorrow.

Olivia is an experienced sustainability professional with over 10 years’ experience working with FTSE250 companies in the built environment. A Chartered Environmentalist and full member of IEMA with a background Masters in Leadership for Sustainability, Olivia has a wealth of experience delivering effective environmental and social initiatives that have positive impacts on the ground. From developing group-wide strategies and programmes to locally bespoke solutions for a new development, Olivia always looks for opportunities to help improve sustainable outcomes for the long-term. In 2018, Olivia was proud to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Environment & Sustainability category for the European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards for her work in the built environment.

Olivia joined Wates Developments in May 2023 in a brand new role as Sustainability and Engagement Director. As a member of the leadership team, Olivia will be developing a sustainability strategy for the business, including its work in strategic land promotion for residential and commercial schemes, joint ventures, and our Needspace? office solutions. Her focus is on creating lasting and positive impacts for local communities and the environment, and supporting our clients to achieve their sustainability vision. “