CEO MONTHLY / JULY 2026 10 A lot of the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped Matt’s personal and professional journey can be found in the book he recently published (aptly titled ‘Made With Ambition’), which is a enthralling read. Sharing with us a spoiler from its final pages, Matt explained how the book ends with him talking about the subject of his legacy. As for what he would like it to be, Matt replied: “For Ellie and Claudia, my daughters, to walk down the street, and one day, when I am no longer here, see a billboard on the side of a building which states ‘MWA – Making Workspace Amazing’ – and they feel proud and think of all the good times we had together.” It is a sombre thought, and thankfully, Matt is far from slowing down, and he remains committed to his company and its clients. The next 12 months for MWA Projects are all about stability, sustainable growth, and investing in its people. The economy remains a challenge, but there are still countless brands seeking confidence and certainty from their spaces, and these will continue to seek Matt and the team out as partners in their success. And Matt could not be more delighted. “When I set up MWA 25 years ago, I could only dream of the client list we have today and the companies we have worked with”, this awardwinning CEO explained in closing. “I still enjoy what I do as much today as when I started the business.” This passion continues to shine through every day, and has resulted in Matt Watts being named the Most Influential CEO 2026: People-Centric Construction Leadership – UK. More on his work and MWA Projects can be found below. Contact: Matt Watts Company: MWA Projects Web Address: www.mwaprojects.com Making Workspaces Amazing, office fit-out specialist MWA Projects offers workplace design and build to commercial offices and retail occupiers in the UK. The company was founded on the principle that honesty, transparency, and trust are essential in an industry that feels difficult to navigate, something that starts with Matt Watts, its founder and CEO. We caught up with Matt following his recognition as the Most Influential CEO 2026: People-Centric Construction Leadership – UK. “If there is one theme that defines both my leadership and our business, it is trust.” Matt Watts has built MWA Projects on a foundation of trust over the last 25 years, and this CEO has made sure it is injected into every aspect of his company, from its open-book approach to costing to the relationships it has with its people – team members and clients alike. Since launching MWA Projects, which is today responsible Developing Workplaces with MWA Projects’ CEO Matt Watts for designing, building, and maintaining some of the UK’s most impressive workspaces, in 2002, Matt has gone on to cement himself as one of the build industry’s most prominent figures. Some of the biggest brands in the UK call MWA Projects a partner as a result, from Net A Porter to Nike. The strength of its relationships with each of these brands can be traced back to MWA Projects doing what it says it will do, being open when challenges arise, and always putting these partnerships before the shortterm gains of the business. Matt explained: “We believe successful projects are built on trust, and trust starts with openness.” By being transparent about where money is spent, understanding why decisions are taken, and where any potential risks lie, MWA Projects removes a lot of the uncertainty when clients work with a design and build contractor in the UK. This openness has seen the company achieve a repeat business rate of nearly 90%, a rarity in this industry. Success on the outside would not be possible without a strong internal culture, and this is something Matt has worked hard to build over the last 25 years at MWA Projects. Of course, this makes up just a fraction of the responsibilities he has as the CEO of the business, with his role ultimately being to set MWA’s direction, support its people, and ensure its clients get the best outcomes across their fit-out projects. Matt’s ability to do all of this to great effect is something rooted in his journey, which has been shaped by resilience, hard work, and a willingness to take calculated risks. For example, when he first started MWA Projects, Matt was driven simply by the belief that there was a better way for the industry to operate. There have been plenty of setbacks along the way, as with any business, but Matt has only taken from them and doubled down on what he has built – positioning MWA Projects as an industry leader in the process.
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