UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
31/07/2019
Wates Launches Plan To Tackle Gender Imbalance
Wates has launched a new Diversity and Inclusion Plan which aims to tackle gender imbalance and create a workforce more reflective of society.
The construction company's #WatesTogether blueprint reveals aims to create a workforce with 60% men, 40% women, 20% BAME, 3% with a disability and 5% LGBTQ+ across all levels of the business by 2025.
The firm will launch an inclusive leadership programme, develop a mixed mentoring programme and review its recruitment policies and processes to help meet its targets.
As well as improving the level of representation at the company, #WatesTogether will also look to overhaul the firm's parental leave and flexible working policies, improve the gender pay gap and collaborate across industry to help drive sector-wide change, for example through a new industry-wide inclusion working group.
Newly appointed Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Nikunj Upadhyay will lead the adoption of the plan, reporting to Group HR Director, Paul Rowan.
Wates Chief Executive, David Allen, said: "The entire built environment sector needs to change to become more representative of the society we serve. At Wates we want a role in leading that change. Our plan summarises our approach, our goals and our commitment to be a business where everyone is welcomed, included and connected.
"We're delighted to welcome Nikunj Upadhyay to our Leadership team to lead this important work. Through her experience at Barclays, and earlier at HSBC and Accenture, Nikunj has overseen the implementation of initiatives focused on increasing the representation of women and engagement of under-represented groups, as well as programmes to promote flexible working. We look forward to welcoming her as we continue our journey to becoming a more inclusive and better business."
Nikunj Upadhyay added: "For me, an inclusive workplace is where we feel our individuality is cherished and we can be confident to bring our whole self to work. I am looking forward to joining Wates and to working with everyone to deliver the ambition of #WatesTogether, where each one of us not only feels included but is also thriving."
(CM/JG)
The construction company's #WatesTogether blueprint reveals aims to create a workforce with 60% men, 40% women, 20% BAME, 3% with a disability and 5% LGBTQ+ across all levels of the business by 2025.
The firm will launch an inclusive leadership programme, develop a mixed mentoring programme and review its recruitment policies and processes to help meet its targets.
As well as improving the level of representation at the company, #WatesTogether will also look to overhaul the firm's parental leave and flexible working policies, improve the gender pay gap and collaborate across industry to help drive sector-wide change, for example through a new industry-wide inclusion working group.
-- Advertisement --
Newly appointed Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Nikunj Upadhyay will lead the adoption of the plan, reporting to Group HR Director, Paul Rowan.
Wates Chief Executive, David Allen, said: "The entire built environment sector needs to change to become more representative of the society we serve. At Wates we want a role in leading that change. Our plan summarises our approach, our goals and our commitment to be a business where everyone is welcomed, included and connected.
"We're delighted to welcome Nikunj Upadhyay to our Leadership team to lead this important work. Through her experience at Barclays, and earlier at HSBC and Accenture, Nikunj has overseen the implementation of initiatives focused on increasing the representation of women and engagement of under-represented groups, as well as programmes to promote flexible working. We look forward to welcoming her as we continue our journey to becoming a more inclusive and better business."
Nikunj Upadhyay added: "For me, an inclusive workplace is where we feel our individuality is cherished and we can be confident to bring our whole self to work. I am looking forward to joining Wates and to working with everyone to deliver the ambition of #WatesTogether, where each one of us not only feels included but is also thriving."
(CM/JG)
Latest Construction News
17/01/2025
Leeds Trinity University has officially opened its newly refurbished City Campus at 1 Trevelyan Square in Leeds.
Completed by GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, the transformation of the central Leeds site introduces state-of-the-art facilities designed to improve learning and collaborate with industry partn
17/01/2025
Trammell Crow Company (TCC) has secured planning permission for a Grade A logistics scheme in Heywood, Greater Manchester, following a successful planning appeal.
The development will feature two state-of-the-art industrial and logistics buildings. One building will house two units measuring 4,796
17/01/2025
Poole-based developer AJC Group has celebrated a record-breaking 2024, delivering 100 affordable homes, a significant increase from the 72 units completed in the previous year.
Since 2023, AJC Group has completed and handed over 172 affordable homes across five sites.
In 2024 alone, the developer
17/01/2025
Plans for one of the most ambitious parks projects in London have taken a significant step forward, with Haringey Council securing nearly two additional acres of land around The Paddock nature reserve in Tottenham Hale.
The agreement with Thames Water marks a major milestone in the transformation o
17/01/2025
Islington Council has unveiled two draft guidance documents aimed at helping residents, businesses, and developers combat climate change by making buildings more energy efficient and fostering a greener, healthier borough.
The consultation seeks feedback on the draft Climate Action Supplementary Pl
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled a £98 million investment plan over the next five years to develop around 500 new homes across the city.
The proposal, part of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, received Cabinet approval this week and now moves to Full Council for final
17/01/2025
Croydon Council has announced a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Purley Pool site, with revised proposals submitted for a new leisure centre, later living housing, and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
A planning application for the site was initially submitted in 2024, pro
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has announced that demolition work has commenced on the New Park Village estate, marking the start of a major £40 million redevelopment project to transform outdated council housing.
Contractor DSM Demolition has begun pulling down poor-quality bungalows on Valley
17/01/2025
Hillingdon Council has acquired 12 new homes at Carpenters Court in Uxbridge.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards and Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, visited the site to officially mark the handover of the properties from local developer Kearns Devel
17/01/2025
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show's 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design.
Established 26 years ago, th
