Wates Group

Wates Group

Wates Group was established in 1897 and remains under fourth-generation family ownership. The Wates family built its wealth through the construction, property services and residential development company that still forms the core operating asset. The family office structure sits alongside this enterprise and handles broader investment and philanthropic activities. The office pursues direct co-investments, infrastructure holdings and real estate projects. Confirmed activity spans commercial and residential developments in the United Kingdom, including sites such as Hounsome Fields in Basingstoke and Waverley Lane in Farnham. Additional exposure includes the National Quantum Computing Centre in Oxfordshire and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland. Geographic focus remains Europe, with the majority of activity inside the United Kingdom. The family maintains three philanthropic vehicles: The Wates Foundation, Wates Family Enterprise Trust and William Wates Memorial Trust. Professional team size and separate office locations beyond the Leatherhead headquarters are not publicly detailed. In 2024-2025 Sir James Wates served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Innholders. Family governance centers on the Wates Family Council and direct oversight of the operating company by multiple family members. This structure keeps investment decisions aligned with multi-generational ownership of the construction business rather than external fund commitments.