Meet the team: Theya Ross, Contract Manger
Meet the team: Theya Ross, Contract Manger
Our ‘Meet the team’ series shines a spotlight on the talented people helping to deliver positive outcomes for our customers and communities. This month, we’re getting to know Theya Ross, whose decision to pursue a career in gas engineering led her to a rewarding role helping deliver homes for residents who need them most.
Taking the less obvious path
I joined WPS in November 2025 as a Contract Manager within the Voids team, bringing with me more than ten years of experience in the gas and heating industry.
I’ve always liked doing something a bit different. When I was choosing my next steps after school, I decided to enrol on a gas engineering course at the age of 17. It wasn’t the route most people expected, but it felt right for me and it sparked a career that has taken me in some interesting directions.
Over the following decade, I worked across commercial plant rooms, district heating networks and large-scale installation projects. During that time, I gained experience in commercial maintenance, mechanical schematics and major infrastructure works, building strong technical knowledge and a practical understanding of how projects are delivered.
From the tools to team leadership
As my experience grew, so did my ambitions. After spending many years on the tools, I wanted a new challenge and the opportunity to develop my career in a different direction. Moving into contract management has allowed me to combine my technical expertise with leadership, planning and operational responsibilities.
Before joining WPS, I regularly worked alongside different Wates teams through my previous role. Those experiences gave me a positive impression of both the business and its people. Having worked with Wates on a number of projects, joining WPS felt like a natural next step. The opportunity to work in a more corporate environment while continuing to use my industry knowledge was something that really appealed to me.
Delivering homes, changing lives
No two days are the same in my role. I work closely with subcontractors, void supervisors and client teams to coordinate programmes of work, overcome challenges and ensure properties are completed efficiently and to a high standard.
What I enjoy most is the variety. One minute I might be discussing progress on-site, and the next I could be planning works with contractors or attending meetings with clients. There’s a great balance between site-based activity and office-based management.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is problem-solving. Whether it’s overcoming a challenge on-site or improving a process, I enjoy finding solutions that help the team perform better and deliver the best possible outcomes.
The wider impact of our work is also incredibly important to me. Every property we complete means another family can move into a safe and comfortable home. Knowing that our work helps people settle into their new homes sooner makes the role particularly rewarding.
For anyone interested in a career in social value, I would encourage you to stay curious, embrace new opportunities and never stop learning.
Life at WPS
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most since joining WPS is the culture. There are a lot of knowledgeable people across the business and everyone is willing to share their experience and support one another. It’s a positive environment where you’re encouraged to learn, develop and grow your career.
I also value the diversity of people and perspectives across the organisation. Working with colleagues from different backgrounds and experiences creates opportunities to learn and continuously improve.
Looking to the future
The housing sector is continually evolving, and I’m particularly interested in seeing how decarbonisation shapes the future of our industry. It will be exciting to see how new technologies, processes and ways of working influence the sector over the coming years, and I’m looking forward to being part of that journey.
In the meantime, my focus is on continuing to strengthen the Voids team, improving efficiency, sharing knowledge and supporting the development of those around me. My goal is to help my team consistently deliver great outcomes for our clients, residents and partners.
For anyone considering a career in the industry, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a challenging career, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every day brings something different, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and develop, and the work you do can have a genuine impact on people’s lives.
