Wates to set sights on council frameworks

Wates will be strongly targeting council frameworks in the new year, according to its chief executive Struan Robertson.

Robertson has revealed that following the group's £29m-a-year framework award by Durham County Council, the group was now making strong gains in the North.

Robertson would not be drawn into detail, but added that the group was being considered by other councils for similar contracts.

"These are pioneering contracts and we are well placed in the market to bid for them. We are prepared to move with market streams and to meet the customer's needs," he said.

The group is now growing strongly at 20% a year and is regarded as "well placed" in the market following the recent formation of its facilities management and maintenance division in June last year.

Wates Group is expected to complete the move from its current headquarters in Norbury to its Leatherhead office by the middle of the year.