Wates has appointed former Balfour Beatty project manager Matt Johnson as regional director of its construction business in the Midlands.
Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, most recently as director of operations for Wates in the Midlands. Prior to joining Wates in 2022, he worked as a project manager for Lendlease and Balfour Beatty, as well as holding an executive director position for leisure contractor Pulse Design & Build.
His career has focused on delivering large and complex projects in both the public and private sectors, overseeing some of Wates’ largest projects in the Midlands including Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Hartshill Academy in Nuneaton and Coundon Court in Coventry . Elsewhere, he has also been responsible for the delivery of the National Automotive Innovation Center at the University of Warwick and 60 Holborn Viaduct, Amazon’s UK headquarters in the City of London.
Johnson’s experience spans a range of sectors including leisure, commercial, education and heritage, covering all aspects of construction from project delivery and operations to pre-construction.
In his new role, Johnson will be responsible for leading Wates’ Midlands operations while contributing to the overall growth of the Northern region, strengthening partnerships with existing clients such as the Department for Education and the Ministry of Justice, and oversees the delivery of major private sector projects.
Johnson said: “Since joining Wates, the strength of our Midlands team has always been very clear to me through the caliber of our projects and our people. I’m proud to be leading this region while we are looking to build on our past successes and move into new sectors, while strengthening our existing customer relationships.”
The appointment follows Wates’ recent restructuring of its construction operations, creating three clear divisions: North (encompassing the Midlands), South and Major Projects. The streamlined regional structure aimed to support efficiency, collaboration and the changing nature of the company’s work, with the average project size increasing to £43m by 2022.
Wates Construction North managing director Dave Saville said: “The wide range of projects being planned and delivered makes the Midlands an absolute strategic focus for our business as we look to grow our portfolio. The Matt’s diverse experience reflects this, making him perfect to lead the region and take advantage of the opportunities here.
“A Wates has already proven to be incredibly trusted and respected both in our business and with our customers, and I’m looking forward to working together as we look to further grow our Midlands operations and the wider Northern Division.”
