Matt Watts wins Outstanding Achievement Award in Property Awards

Henley businessman Matt Watts, Founder and CEO of MWA Projects, has been named the winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2026 Thames Valley Property Awards.

The award was presented at the annual ceremony at Easthampstead Park, celebrating leading businesses, projects and individuals from across the Thames Valley property sector.

Matt founded MWA Projects in 2002 and has grown the Henley-on-Thames based business into a commercial design, fit-out, construction and facilities management company employing around 40 people and working across the Thames Valley and London.

Matt had originally been nominated for the award without his knowledge.

In announcing the award, the judges said they were impressed by Matt’s “commitment to putting people first, while driving MWA’s Thames Valley growth and delivering community benefit.”

They added: “As his recently published autobiography reflects, he leads with exceptional resilience, openness and ambition.”

The recognition comes during a significant period for both Matt and MWA.

His autobiography, Made with Ambition, was published last year and tells the story of his personal and professional journey, including the challenges he has faced while building MWA over nearly 25 years.

The book was launched at Henley Town Hall in December, with more than 200 people from the local community, business and property sectors, together with friends and family, attending the event.

MWA has also continued to expand its presence across the Thames Valley and surrounding region. Recent work includes a 40,000 sq ft refurbishment for Northern & Shell in Redhill, projects for Bahlsen Biscuits in Bourne End and Select Car Leasing in Reading, and the refurbishment of a ticket office at Ascot Racecourse, where MWA is now in discussions about further, more extensive works.

The company has also delivered the transformation of a 20,000 sq ft former agricultural barn in Hampshire into Barnsgrove Club, creating a members’ clubhouse incorporating workspaces, dining and social areas, fitness and wellness facilities.

MWA recently completed the new Crawley headquarters for private aviation company Volanteus and will shortly be delivering new lounge facilities for Netflix and Disney at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

Closer to home, MWA recently completed refurbishment works at Nettlebed School and is preparing to embark on the refurbishment of the clubhouse at Henley Golf Club, a particularly personal project for Matt, who grew up in the area and is a member of the club.

Speaking after receiving the award, Matt said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve been building MWA for nearly 25 years and, like any business journey, there have been some incredible highs and some pretty difficult moments along the way.

“To receive an award recognising not just what we’ve achieved as a business, but the importance of putting people first, supporting our community and continuing to grow across the Thames Valley, means a huge amount to me.

“The judges referenced resilience, openness and ambition – three words that also sit at the heart of Made with Ambition – which made the award feel even more personal.

“None of it happens on your own. I’m incredibly proud of everyone at MWA, past and present, who has been part of the journey, and having my family there to share the moment made the night even more special.”