James Wates receives knighthood in Queen’s birthday honours

James Wates

James Wates, chairman of Wates Group, is to be knighted after he was recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Wates is being honoured for his services to business and charity. Already a CBE, he has been chairman of Wates since 2013, having joined Wates Construction in 1983. He is also a past president of the Chartered Institute of Building (from 2010-2011) and has previously served as a chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), chairman of the BRE Trust, and is co-chair of Infrastructure Exports: UK.

He has also taken roles outside construction including as chairman of the think tank Tomorrow’s Company, chairman of the Prince’s Trust corporate advisory group, and ambassador for the Young Women’s Trust.

Eddie Tuttle, CIOB director for policy, research and public affairs, said: “James has been an industry leader for many years and he continues to lead by example – his work to raise the profile of the changes needed post-Grenfell has been very influential and helped to drive the agenda forward. I congratulate James on this well-earned recognition.”

Chris Soffe, the CIOB’s current president, also offered his congratulations: “The honour is a real achievement. It’s a testament to a lifetime of leadership in the industry and well deserved.”

Meanwhile, Dr Anne Kemp, UK BIM Alliance chair, fellow and technical director at Atkins was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contribution to the development of the UK’s smart digital economy.

Kemp said: “I’m so thrilled to receive this award and grateful to be working during a time when it’s widely accepted that we need a golden thread of information to help us create and run a built environment that supports a better quality of living for all of us.”

Lucy Musgrave, founder of London-based architecture practice Publica, and Dr Jane Brooke-Smith, UK head of development and strategic planning at Arcadis also received OBEs.

And Anthony Meggs , the current chairman of Crossrail and lately chief executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority was made a companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).