The new operating structure will be headed by four new divisional MDs at construction, property services, development and residential.

The refocus brings several senior appointments across the divisions and a new dedicated public sector director to concentrate on the Government’s Build, Build, Build plans for schools and hospitals.

Wates risers (L-R): Rob Clifford, md of Integrated Construction Services; Helen Bunch, MD Wates Residential; Steve Beechey, Group Public Sector Director; Steve Joyce, MD of SES; United Living’s Helen Rieman joins Wates Developments as Partnerships Director

Wates’ restructure essentially splits the development and residential division to create standalone businesses, reshaped for faster growth.

Former Wates Smartspace chief Helen Bunch will head the new residential business, which will target local authority and housing association partnerships.

In the shake-up former Residential MD Paul Nicholls has left the business.

At the construction division, Wates plans to intensify its focus on design and offsite manufacturing, and strengthen its capabilities in complex sectors, such as healthcare.

It key SES Engineering Services, Wates Building Services and offsite manufacturer Prism will be brought together under an umbrella of Wates Integrated Construction Services.

Rob Clifford, currently head of Wates Building Services, has been promoted to managing director, WICS, reporting to Paul Chandler, executive director of Construction.

Following the recent resignation of MD Jason Knights, Steve Joyce has been appointed managing director of SES.

Together with Prism Design and Manufacturing Services, WICS will lead the group’s digital transition and adoption of Modern Methods of Construction.

The Property Services division is enlarged with the fit-out business Smartspace joining FM and Wates Living Space, under the leadership of David Morgan, executive MD.

David Brocklebank, Executive MD, Developments, will oversee expansion at development with the creation a new Wates Partnerships business to generate ‘turnkey’ opportunities.

Helen Rieman, former head of business development and partnerships at United Living, joins Wates Developments as Partnerships Director to help identify, develop and fund housing for key worker, build to rent and senior living schemes.

Investment Director, Natalie Flint continue to lead the growth of the Development Agency Service offer, helping customers generate more value from their investments in housing and overseeing marketing and sales.

In a separate group appointment, Strategy Director Steve Beechy moves to the newly-created position of Group Public Sector Director. From 2021, around 70% of the Wates’ turnover will be from public sector customers.

The shake-up follows more than 300 redundancies across the business to adjust to lower activity levels.

Chief Executive David Allen said: “The last four months have challenged all of us in new ways.

“We are now adjusting our structure to focus on the great opportunities that we believe lie ahead in our key sectors.

“These changes give us the best possible prospects of thriving in the current environment and once the coronavirus crisis has passed and we’re confident that our future direction is clear.”