UK CONSTRUCTION services company Wates has opened an office in Abu Dhabi, marking its first step towards entering the Gulf market.

Wates, one of the UK’s leading and oldest construction services company, is working with construction, industrial and property group Al Fara’a on the design, development and delivery of educational facilities.
In the UK, it has worked on some of the most prestigious projects like the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral, the renovation of The National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square and the refurbishment of Queen’s Gallery within Buckingham Palace, which houses The Queen’s Royal Collection of art and treasures.
More than 2,200 employees work for the company which has a turnover of more than Dh6 billion ($1.63 billion).
Wates is also involved in several other sectors including retail, commercial and affordable housing.  In the UK, it has built schools and colleges to accommodate 35,000 pupils, including Canterbury College and North Liverpool Academy. It is currently running the day-to-day operations of 26 UK schools.