HRH The Prince of Wales presented Sir James Wates CBE with his Knighthood at Buckingham Palace last week. This comes after Sir James received a CBE in 2011.
Sir James has been Chairman of the Wates Group, the family-owned company, since 2013. He is among the fourth generation of family directors since Wates was established in 1897.
He has also held top positions in numerous leading bodies, including as President of the Chartered Institute of Building, Chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board, and Co-chair of Build UK. He currently serves as Chairman of the CBI Construction Council, Co-chair of Infrastructure Exports: UK, and Chairman of the BRE (Building Research Establishment) Trust.
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Following the investiture Sir James said: "This is a huge honour and one I am proud to share with my family, colleagues and industry peers. Being involved with our family business, the Wates Group, has enabled me to work with some extraordinary people and teams. The built environment has a positive impact on people's lives and their communities, so what we do is profoundly important. I have also been fortunate to have had the opportunity to give my time to charities and other organisations who are doing so much valuable and inspirational work.
"I am deeply honoured by and grateful for the recognition that this award represents."
(CM/JG)
