Wates Group has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category for the third time, having previously won in 2011 and 2016
Wates is one of 225 organisations nationally to be recognised by the Queen’s Awards, along with 30 other companies in the Sustainable Development category.
Wates’ sustainability strategies have bold commitments and targets, setting out to achieve Zero Waste Carbon by 2025. Wates also works to ensure that its projects leave a positive impact on the natural environment.
The Queen’s Awards commented: “Wates Group Ltd is awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because it clearly shows leadership in the construction sector, and the business can demonstrate how it is constantly evolving and developing its approach.”
Environmentally sustainable projects under construction
Wates is currently delivering a number of environmentally sustainable projects, including some of UK’s first net-zero schools with the Department for Education, partnering with Arup and HKS to decarbonise the NHS estate in England, and working with Lloyds Banking Group to seek out new energy-efficient innovations with the Wates Innovation Network.
Wates’ launched its five-year social value strategy, Creating Opportunities in November 2020 and has three central themes:
- challenging inequality,
- inspiring and educating young people about careers in the built environment industry;
- and supporting and scaling the Social Enterprise sector.
In 2021 Wates generated £115.9m of social value through its own programmes and its work with partner social enterprises, including engaging 12,000 young people. Wates also launched ASSETS.
The business’ commitment to procurement via social enterprises totalled £6.8m in 2021.
‘Industry leading position we have built on sustainability’
John Dunne, safety, health, environment, quality and sustainability director, Wates Group said: “I am delighted that Wates has won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and in this, our 125th anniversary year.
“This is the third time that Wates has received this award a record that reflects the industry leading position we have built on sustainability.
“For all of us at Wates, sustainability is about more than a programme or series of interventions.
“It is intrinsic to the way we do business, the way we operate, and how we support, inspire, and engage others to achieve sustainable outcomes, and we are proud to have been recognised in this way.”
