Tributes have been paid following the death of Sir Christopher Wates, the former chief executive of his family’s construction firm.
The company announced in a statement yesterday (24 September) that Sir Christopher died on 22 September at the age of 85.
It said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sir Christopher Stephen Wates.
“A respected leader in the construction industry and a beloved family member, he will be remembered for his leadership, integrity, and dedication. Our thoughts are with his close family.”
A chartered accountant by training, Sir Christopher was the grandson of the firm’s founder Edward. As chief executive, he led the eponymous business through the recession of the early 1990s that severely impacted the construction industry.
Sir Christopher undertook a restructuring of the firm and expanded activity to include fit-out work, before stepping down in 2000.
Former chair Michael Wates said: “During that period, he led the company through some difficult times, and he handled the bad times and the good times with equal aplomb. I can say in all the years we worked together we never had a cross word. Not only was he a wonderful cousin, but also a great workmate.”
Having completed the restructure, Sir Christopher was succeeded by Struan Robertson as the first non-family member to lead the firm.
Away from the construction industry, Sir Christopher was an active board member of multiple charitable organisations supporting music, education, the homeless and also the Church of England.
He was a director and trustee of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the Science Museum, and Lambeth Palace Library. He was also chairman of English Estates and a church commissioner.
Sir Christopher was knighted in 1989 in recognition of his contributions to the construction and development industry.
Timothy Wates, the current chair of Wates, said: “He was an inspiring man with strong values, and a great leader of our company. He will be remembered for his dedication, leadership and enduring legacy in both his professional and personal life. He will be missed dearly, and my thoughts are with his wife, three daughters and close family.”
Today, five Wates family members remain on the board. The firm is 7th in this year’s CN100 ranking with a turnover of £2.1bn in 2023.
