Wates hires Cooke as regional lead 

Sarah Cooke will head up operations across the North West, where the construction firm is targeting £150m turnover by 2025. 

Cooke joins Wates Construction from Balfour Beatty, where she spent the last two years as national framework director. 

Cooke said: “The North West has a rich pipeline of current and potential development and I’m excited to be operating in the region again for a contractor that has such solid values clearly evident throughout its business.  

“With a strong focus on customer relationships and delivering a quality product safely, our aspirations to grow the business will develop over the next two to three years and I’m looking forward to leading this expansion.” 

Cooke’s appointment comes after Wates’ former North West regional director Dave Saville was promoted to the role of managing director for the North earlier this year. 

“We have firm ambitions to reach a £150m turnover in the North West by 2025 and Sarah’s appointment will absolutely support us in reaching this goal,” Saville said. 

“Her experience working for national customers with a regional focus will be indispensable as we look to expand the sectors we work in and increase our pipeline with national organisations like the NHS and Ministry of Justice.” 

As well as Balfour Beatty, Cooke has had stints with Galliford Try, Morgan Sindall, and Lendlease throughout her 20-year career.  

In her new role, she will be responsible for leading Wates’ North West operations and contributing to the growth of the northern region as a whole, by strengthening partnerships with frameworks including CCS and Procure North West, as well as managing the delivery of public and private sector projects. 

Wates is working on a variety of projects across the North West including the maiden This City housing project for Manchester City Council and several schools for Star Academies. 

The company recently handed over the Sands Leisure Centre in Carlisle.