Wates Group has appointed Paul Chandler as group managing director of its construction group.

Taking up the new role from January, Paul will report to group CEO Andrew Davies and sit on the Wates Group executive committee.

Paul joins Wates from Skanska UK, where he is currently executive vice president accountable for all Skanska UK building and mechanical/electrical operations.

Over a 34-year career with Skanska, Paul has delivered a range of complex projects across the commercial, residential and engineering services sectors as well as many public-private partnership (PPP) schemes in healthcare, defence and education. Paul has been involved in many notable landmark projects in London such as 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), Heron Tower and more recently the redevelopment of Battersea Power station.

Wates CEO Andrew Davis said: “Paul has built an enviable reputation for delivering large and complex projects with a keen emphasis on operational excellence. He also brings enormous experience in sustainability and diversity and inclusion, areas which we have always valued at Wates, and which are becoming increasingly important to our customers.

“I am delighted that Paul has agreed to join the Wates team and look forward to working with him on the many opportunities ahead.”

Paul Chandler added: “I am delighted to be joining the Wates Group at an exciting time in its growth strategy. Wates has a great reputation across a number of sectors with strong performance across all its operations. I look forward to bringing my experience to bear on the next stage of the construction group’s development alongside my new colleagues.”