James Wates, a fourth-gen member of the family that controls the eponymous construction business, has been appointed chairman as the family reasserts its control of the company.
Wates (pictured, second from left) replaces non-family Paul Drechsler, who will remain as chief executive, until a replacement can be found for this position as well.
Drechsler had been at the helm for the past seven years in the role of both chairman and chief executive, but Wates had always planned a return to family leadership.