Wates

The built environment sector has long faced significant challenges regarding fairness, inclusion and diversity. Yet in an industry that quite literally shapes the world we live in, creating a more inclusive future is not optional – it’s essential. 

For Wates, inclusion and diversity are not just moral imperatives or compliance requirements – they’re strategic drivers. As a family-owned business with bold ambitions for the future, Wates understands that a thriving business begins with a thriving workforce. One where every individual feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed. 

With a clear commitment to building an organisation that reflects the communities it serves, Wates is working to move the dial – from policy to practice, intent to impact. The 2024 Inclusion & Diversity Impact Report captures that journey, amplifying the voices of employees and showcasing the actions that are making a difference.

As progress gathers pace – and following our success of the 2023 report, recognised with a Corporate Reporting Design award – this year’s brief called for more than a corporate update. It needed to mark a new chapter Wates’ inclusion story: one that shifts the spotlight from action to impact.  

Our challenge was to capture not just what Wates is doing, but why it matters. To do this, we crafted a report rooted in real voices. Through a series of in-depth interviews with employees from across the organisation, we uncovered honest, powerful stories that show inclusion in action – from reverse mentoring and menopause support, to mentoring circles, family-friendly policies and the strength of employee networks.  

These first-hand accounts bring Wates’ five-year inclusion journey to life, underpinned by its core principles of Fair Treatment, Fair Opportunities and Fair Hiring. Because progress is measured not just by initiatives launched, but by the real impact on people, the business and wider industry.  

With the narrative front and centre, the design approach prioritised clarity and space – giving the stories room to breathe and their impact space to land. Working with Wates’ refreshed brand guidelines, we introduced the new line illustrations that added visual storytelling to the content.  

Accessibility was a core consideration from the outset. Recognising the importance of inclusive design in an Inclusion & Diversity report, we created both light and dark mode versions, fully compatible with screen readers and accessible PDF formats. Each design choice was made intentionally to ensure the final output could not only be easily navigated but understood and experienced by all.