Building a Sustainable future, together

Meeting tomorrow’s needs by shaping buildings and places that are fit for the future today.

At Wates, we take a holistic approach to sustainability in the built environment. We understand that lasting success involves designing, building and maintaining buildings and places for longevity, and continuously monitoring their performance.

Your collaboration partner for the full life cycle of your building

Our approach to decarbonisation supports the full life cycle of domestic and non-domestic buildings, encompassing design, construction, retrofitting and facilities management.

With our expertise, dedication to innovation, and commitment to long-term sustainability, we are your trusted partner on your journey to net zero carbon.

SUSTAINABLE PLACEMAKING

Shaping spaces for thriving communities

Sustainable placemaking is at the heart of our development philosophy to create vibrant and enduring spaces that enrich the lives of residents and businesses alike.

  • Strategic land location: We are experts in identifying prime locations for sustainable developments, considering environmental impact and community integration.
  • Engagement and planning: With effective local stakeholder engagement and exceptional knowledge of the planning process, we deliver sustainable and low-carbon places.

MAXIMISING BUILDING EFFICIENCY

Building for a net zero future

Whether it’s a home, a commercial office, or a public facility, we design and construct buildings that stand the test of time.

  • Built right, first time: With our in-house experts and specialist engineering services, we can provide a fully optimised design to reduce full life carbon, enhance biodiversity net gain and maximise resources.
  • Data driven decision making: We utilise data to conduct post occupancy evaluation to learn and continually improve the efficiency of the building and future designs.
  • Ongoing performance monitoring: We help you leverage data and technology to adapt your spaces to evolving usage patterns such as flexible workspaces.

TRANSFORMING EXISTING SPACES

Retrofitting for lower emissions

We understand the challenge of improving the energy efficiency of existing structures, and our approach covers every aspect:

  • Initial planning: We work with you to create a retrofit plan that aligns with your sustainability goals.
  • Efficiency measures: Our experts implement energy-saving solutions to upgrade existing buildings.
  • Smart space management: Adapting spaces to evolving needs, ensuring optimal energy and water usage and occupant comfort.

Our comprehensive approach

Our approach to decarbonisation is built around the three core tenets of building for the future; maintaining buildings for the long term; and continuously monitoring their performance.

In-house experts: With our in-house experts, specialist engineering services and post occupancy services, we understand how buildings perform. We bring this intelligence into our designs to ensure the best outcomes for your building.

Bespoke designs: Working closely with you and our strategic supply chain, we will provide bespoke designs that maximises opportunities for a net zero future. We believe in thoughtful, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing designs that integrate seamlessly with your vision.

Serving communities first: We put our communities at the heart of what we do. From initial consultation through to build and maintenance, we aim to create sustainable spaces for people to live and work.

  • Leveraging early engagement: We aim to increase biodiversity net gain (BNG) outcomes for our customers through early engagement with designers, ecologists and our strategic supply chain partners.
  • Enhancing local BNG outcomes: Our focus is to improve the local biodiversity where we can. Where this is not possible, we can advise customers on appropriate biodiversity net gain offset solutions.

Technology: We stay at the forefront of innovation to recommend market-leading, tested solutions and products that keep to the highest sustainability standards. Our solutions are tailored to meet your unique needs and budget.

Implementation: Once we’ve identified the right technology and solutions for you, our skilled team ensures a flawless implementation process.

Transformation: Our solutions enable you to monitor and manage your building efficiently, ensuring you can identify and implement future changes seamlessly.

Sustainability in action: Our smart building solutions not only make your facility more efficient but also contribute to your sustainability goals. With real-time data and automation, you’ll be empowered to make informed decisions that reduce your carbon footprint.

  • Sustainability champions: Our award-wining services demonstrate our commitment to the environment. We leverage our expertise to help clients envision and achieve their sustainability goals, guiding them to meet and exceed industry standards.
  • Exceeding standards: Our dedication to sustainability means we don’t just aim for compliance; we aspire for leadership in the sector. We work closely with our customers to align your vision with our expertise, helping you become pioneers in sustainability in your fields.
  • Innovation for impact: With our in-house experts, cutting-edge technologies and a wealth of experience, we empower customers to not only meet the strictest standards, but to inspire change. Together, we pave the way for a sustainable future, setting new benchmarks and making a lasting impact.
Accreditations and Memberships

The WIN Portal – your gateway to innovation

The path to net zero carbon emissions demands innovation.

That’s why we produced the WIN Portal — a unique marketplace of innovative solutions – free to access and designed to help you reach your own net zero goals.

We are working with the DfE to build the first net zero carbon schools

Decarbonisation of public and commercial buildings

In 2022, in response to the release of PAS 2038 for non-domestic buildings, we developed a compliant service to support the decarbonisation of public and commercial buildings.

As a delivery partner on 80% of the UK’s leading central and local government frameworks, including for the Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, and NHS healthcare estates, we continuously innovate to meet the evolving decarbonisation needs of our customers to drive forward your sustainability journey.

We are committed to building sustainable, energy efficient homes that contribute to net zero and bio-diversity net gain

Sustainable new homes and developments

We’re proud to be building award-winning zero carbon homes across the UK. Our commitment to the environment and net zero means we are always exploring new sustainable ways of building and modern methods of construction.

Our partnership with the City of Cardiff Council, for example, will see 42 new homes built to the Passivhaus low energy building standard, which will keep energy consumption low and slash bills for residents.

Helping landlords cut fuel poverty

The UK has some of the least energy-efficient homes in Europe. Our PAS 2035 compliant service is designed to guide customers through every step of your retrofit journey.

To date, we have helped housing customers unlock over £100 million of government funding through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Currently, we are delivering over 30 PAS 2035 compliance projects and improving the energy efficiency of over 5,000 homes.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our sustainability services

SHEQ CAREERS AT WATES

Want to be part of our team?

Sustainability Reporting Lead

Location: Leatherhead

Job Type: SHEQ

Application Deadline: 07-02-2025

As a key member of the Sustainability leadership team, this role is responsible for improving environmental and social value data collection, analysis, assurance, and reporting across the Group. You will ensure accurate, timely reporting to meet both internal needs and external legal and best practice reporting requirements. This role also supports senior leaders by analysing trends, enabling informed decision-making aligned with our purpose, and delivering best-practice external reporting for the Group.Main AccountabilitiesData Process Design and Implementation Develop and maintain processes for sustainability data to support decision-making at Group and business unit levels. Ensure robust assurance mechanisms are in place or enhanced to verify the accuracy of submitted data. Provide quarterly compliance updates to the Group Sustainability Director.Environmental Reporting Process environmental data in accordance with the GHG Protocol, SECR, and Statutory Biodiversity Metric to support ESOS, CSDR, and related reporting. Assist the Environmental Sustainability Director with TCFD, TNFD, and prepare for ISSB reporting by undergoing relevant training and updates.Social Value Reporting Process social value data in line with National TOMS, evolving best practices, and the Group strategy. Collaborate with the Sustainability Leadership Team to demonstrate and evidence contributions to societal value effectively.Strategic Insights and Analysis Provide analysis and actionable insights from data trends, identifying commercial risks and opportunities to inform decision-making at senior levels. Collaborate on programme design to optimize sustainability performance.Internal and External Communication Support Work with business units and communications teams to ensure accurate and legal use of sustainability data in internal and external communications.Communicating and InfluencingA skilled communicator and confident data handler, this individual will engage with stakeholders across the business to: Drive improvements in data collection and utilization. Contextualize data-driven insights within the commercial landscape, highlighting risks and opportunities for the Group. Support the Finance team in creating accurate, impactful reports and collaborate with leadership during Quarterly Performance Reviews to illustrate trends and initiatives.Specific SHEQ Accountabilities Support key Group-wide initiatives across Health, Safety, and Well-being (HSW), Quality, and Sustainability.Required Knowledge, Qualifications, and SkillsKnowledge Deep understanding of GHG Protocol for all three scopes, SECR reporting, and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric. Familiarity with CSDR, the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, and emerging regulatory and voluntary frameworks. Advanced proficiency with data tools such as SmartWaste, Excel, and Power BI.Qualifications An undergraduate degree, ideally in a quantitative field (e.g., data science, environmental science, or engineering).Skills and Behaviours Exceptional analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities across diverse teams. Effective communicator with expertise in translating data into impactful stories for varied audiences. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. A Proactive learner who stays ahead of trends in sustainability reporting and data management.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & bonus Flexible working 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, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Standards Advisor

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: SHEQ

Application Deadline: 12-02-2025

We currently have an opportunity for a Standards Advisor to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Finsbury Park office on one of our social housing contracts. The primary focus of this role will be to provide professional SHEQ support. You will engage with various teams and supply chain peers to ensure that our SHE policy is promoted and effectively deployed, providing support to senior SHE advisors.Key Accountabilities will include: Support with the development of programmes for project visits that ensures the highest level of SHE standards as appropriate to project risks. Actively and effectively challenging noncompliance of SHE policies and standards. Support business leadership in the preparation of bids. Communicate learning and good practices from within and outside the business.We are looking for you to have experience of SHE policies in an industrial or construction environment and ideally have worked on a similar programme of works. To be successful in the role you will be an excellent communicator, with the ability to coach and influence individuals, along with being able to identify hazards.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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