Bates has worked at Savills since 1988 and heads the business space division. Since joining as a graduate, Bates has specialised in all aspects of office agency. He advises major investors and developers on the design, marketing and leasing of schemes, as well as global corporates on matters affecting their real estate portfolio and how they can create best value from this. Bates is an executive director on the board of Savills UK and heads the commercial transactional services teams across Investment, agency and occupier services.