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Rebuilding water sector trust through research and innovation

Phil Black - PII Editor 08/11/2023

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Registrations are now open for UKWIR's fourth annual conference, which will be held in London on 30 November 2023.

The event will explore the importance of research, innovation and communication in addressing the water challenges of the 21st century, with perspectives from a range of high-profile speakers from across water companies, regulators, the water media and supply chain.

Keynote speakers are Helen Wakeham, deputy director of water quality, groundwater and contaminated land at the Environment Agency; Colin Skellett, chief executive of Wessex Water, and Ian Cameron, head of innovation at UK Power Networks, who brings experiences from outside the water sector. Niki Roach, honorary vice president of CIWEM, is returning as conference chair.

Speaking ahead of the event, she said, “Everything that we achieve – or don’t achieve – is because people make choices. People underpin every organisation, every system, process, policy and regulation.”

“The power of the UKWIR conference is connecting people from academia, the supply chain, water companies, regulators and environmental NGOs, to listen to experiences, challenge thinking and build understanding on the big questions the water sector is facing. Ultimately, it’s experiences like these that will go on to inform the choices we then make in our roles.”

Confirmed speakers and panellists include Thomas Bridgewater, head of strategic asset management & innovation, Affinity Water; Jon Rathjen, deputy director, water policy & climate change and energy directorate operation, Scottish Government and Mariëlle van der Zouwen, deputy director and management team, KWR Water Research Institute.

This year’s session themes will be explored through a combination of presentations and panel discussions: