James Wates

James Wates

James has worked in construction his entire life and feels passionately that it plays a crucial role in the UK鈥檚 economic and social well-being. Through his numerous roles, he champions change in the sector 鈥� encouraging the investment in skills development, greater collaboration, and the application of modern methods of construction, with the ultimate goal of creating a higher quality built environment, stronger communities and a better society.

James read estate management at college and joined Wates construction in 1983, progressing through the management to running sites, before taking on a General Manager role in 1989. He became Chairman in 2013.

His key positions in the sector include: Chairman of the CBI Construction Council, Chairman of CITB, Past President of CIOB, Chairman of the BRE Trust, Non-executive Director of Argent Services LLP, and Co-chair of the government-sponsored Infrastructure Exports: UK.

In line with his belief that good business, well done, is good for society, he has taken on a number of roles outside of the construction sector, including Chairman of the think tank Tomorrow鈥檚 Company, Chairman of the Princes Trust Corporate Advisory Group, and Ambassador for the Young Women鈥檚 Trust.

In 2012 he was awarded the CBE for services to construction and the charitable sector.