Wates Chairman takes on top role at BRE Trust
6th January 2015

Chairman of Wates Group, James Wates CBE has been appointed as Chairman of the BRE Trust the UK’s largest charity dedicated to advancing knowledge and education on the built environment for public benefit. He takes over from Sir Neville Simms who has been in the role since 2005.

CEO of BRE Group Dr Peter Bonfield said ‘James like his predecessor Sir Neville is a highly respected and influential figure in our industry. He understands the challenges faced by the sector and the key role that research and science can play in helping us meet them. We look forward to a new era of leadership and strategic direction for the BRE Trust.’
Along with his role at Wates Group James is also Chairman of Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) where his remit is to encourage new talent into construction with stimulating skills training programmes and initiatives. He is also Chairman of the UK Contractors Group (UKCG) the primary association for contractors and their supply chain partners in the UK.  Members account for a third of construction output in the UK advocating safe, ethical and sustainable practices in the sector.

Speaking about his appointment James said ’This role with the BRE Trust is a great opportunity to connect the research and science outputs of the charity with the skills agenda of CITB  and the construction delivery and supply chain through UKCG. Our industry is growing but we have fewer resources to work with, we have a significant skills gap and we continue to be challenged by carbon reduction and climate adaption – innovation underpinned by science is the key and this is what the Trust does so effectively.

Peter Bonfield concluded ‘I would like to thank Sir Neville for his magnificent contribution to the BRE Trust.  As well as giving us the benefit of his great experience as a captain of industry, he has been instrumental in the creation of the Trust’s five University Centres of Excellence in Bath, Cardiff, Brasilia, Strathclyde and Edinburgh who are conducting world class built environment research in key areas like energy, fire and security, sustainable materials and social cohesion. The centres have 150 staff, 140 studentships and a collective research portfolio of over £60m.’

.www.bretrust.org.uk