We are proud to announce that James Wates CBE, chairman of the Wates Group, has joined our board as deputy chairman. The intention is that he will become chairman from January 2017, succeeding Barrie Collins who has served in that role since 2009. The appointment comes at a time of renewed global focus on corporate responsibility issues, following a G20 summit earlier this month at which Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to bring forward proposals later this year tackling poor corporate behaviour. Mark Goyder, founder and chief executive of Tomorrow's Company, said: “We have worked closely with the Wates Group and the Wates family over many years, and their example of stewardship in action has been an important influence on us. It is wonderful to work with a successful business leader who exemplifies strong values, enduring relationships and a long term focus. We look forward to working together in the future.” James Wates said: “This is a great moment to be working with Tomorrow’s Company. As the Prime Minister has said, we all face an important task in ‘civilising capitalism’ and I see Tomorrow’s Company, with its clear vision and business-led practical focus, as playing a central role in driving change. I believe strongly that good business, well done, is a force for good for society, and I look forward to playing an active role in driving this important agenda forward.” The appointment adds to Mr Wates’ roster of professional responsibilities that includes chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board, co-chair of Build UK, chairman of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Trust, and member of the government’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board. Notes to editors James Wates CBE
James has been chairman of the Wates Group since 2013. He joined Wates Construction in 1983, the Wates Construction board as marketing director in 1994, and was appointed to the Wates Group board in 1997. He is chairman and board member of several industry bodies as well as non-profit organisations (
you can read his full bio here). Tomorrow’s Company Tomorrow’s Company is a not-for-profit think-tank that exists to inspire and enable business to be a force for good. Our goal is to encourage a business approach that creates value for staff, shareholders and society through a focus on purpose, values, relationships and the long-term. Our approach combines vision with practicality as we identify the changes needed to ownership and governance structures and government policy in order to create conditions in which companies can flourish. The strength of our work comes from our community whom we support on their journey to be a force for good. Their experience and insight provides the practical grounding to our research and offers a network of advocates for change. Wates Group
Wates Group, established over 119 years ago, employs approximately 4,000 people and posted a turnover of £1.27bn in 2015. Wates Group was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2016 for Sustainable Development for the second time in 2016, was the first large contractor ever to be awarded Business in the Community's Community Mark and in 2013 was awarded the inaugural National Business Award for Corporate Citizenship in recognition of its leadership and excellence in community investment. Contacts: For Tomorrow’s Company: Mark Goyder | Founder & chief executive | mark@tomorrowscompany.com | T: 0207 839 4040 | M: 07894 570016 Yolanda Villafuerte | yolanda@tomorrowscompany.com | T: 0207 839 4040 For Wates: Gemma Phillips | gemma.phillips@wates.co.uk | T: 01372 861 152 | M: 07788 368 074