Wates Group has announced the appointment of Robert Stone as its new Head of Public Sector and National Frameworks.

Stone will work alongside Stephen Beechey, Group Public Sector Director, to strengthen Wates' relationships with government bodies and public sector clients. He will also play a pivotal role in deepening the company’s engagement with key strategic sectors such as defence, justice, and emergency services.

Bringing over three decades of construction industry experience, Stone has held senior roles across both public and private sectors. His most recent position was Director of Technical Services at Homes England, where he led a multidisciplinary team delivering technical support for housing and regeneration projects nationwide. His responsibilities included overseeing capital projects, sustainability initiatives, health and safety, estate management, and strategic town planning. He also served as the organisation’s Head of the Property Profession.

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Stone has held influential roles on several high-level government boards, including the Government Construction Board and the Government Property Leaders Board. He also contributed to the Housing Taskforce and the Nutrient Taskforce.

Prior to his role at Homes England, Stone was Head of Estates at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, where he was instrumental in the Defence Estates Optimisation Programme (DEOP), serving as both Design Authority and a member of the DEOP Board.

His earlier career includes 12 years with Tier 1 contractors, where he served as Project Director on major school and hospital projects. Notably, he led the £1 billion Eastwick & Sweetwater Regeneration Project — a major component of the post-Olympics redevelopment of London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — during his time with Balfour Beatty.

Stone's appointment is set to enhance Wates' existing public sector team, which is focused on the delivery and maintenance of social infrastructure for local authorities, NHS Trusts, and key government departments such as the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice, Homes England, and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Additionally, he will support Wates' leadership in managing national procurement frameworks, including Pagabo, P23, Procure Partnerships Framework (PPF), and Crown Commercial Services (CCS).