Annual Conference 2026 Programme
Powered by You: Collective Action For a Resilient Water Future
Join us for two days of sector insight, real‑world experience and practical discussion for everyone working across the water industry. Our conference programme is taking shape with a fantastic line-up of speakers and provoking session topics. To have your first sneak peek, find out more below, and stay posted for updates!
Join us for two days of keynote speakers, technical sessions, networking opportunities and the Institute of Water Reception and Annual Awards
📅 IWater Annual Conference Programme
Colour-coded by track: Welcome/networking breaks 🟡 | Keynote 🔵 | Panel 🔴 | Speaker/Conversations 🟢
DAY 1 Thursday 17th September
09:00 | Registration and Refreshments 🟡
09:30 | Welcome and Introductions 🟡
Led by:
– Sarah McMath, IWater President and CEO of MOSL
– Sarah McMath, IWater President and CEO of MOSL
09:45| Opening Keynote: From Ambition to Action: Building Sector-Wide Resilience 🔵
A forward-looking keynote exploring how collaboration, innovation, regulation and workforce development can help deliver a more resilient and sustainable water sector.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Speaker TBC
Confirmed Speakers:
– Speaker TBC
10:15 | Is Technology Delivering Resilience, or Just Complexity? 🔴
An exploration of how digital innovation, AI and smart technologies are supporting resilience, while considering the practical challenges of implementation, data sharing and environmental impact.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Natalie Lamb, Senior Manager, Spring
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Natalie Lamb, Senior Manager, Spring
– Matilda Rhode, CISO, Welsh Water
– Karl Dalton, Head of Water, Sieman’s
– Gill Edwards, Skewb (Chair)
11:00 | Refreshments, exhibition and networking 🟡
11:20 | Welcome back🟡
11:25 | What Water Can Learn from Other Critical Industries 🔴
Drawing on experiences from sectors such as energy and infrastructure, this discussion examines approaches to risk management, recovery, stakeholder engagement and skills development.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Rachel Fletcher, Director of Regulation and Economics, Octopus Energy
– Rebecca Harrison, Anglian Water Services
Confirmed Speakers:
– Rachel Fletcher, Director of Regulation and Economics, Octopus Energy
– Rebecca Harrison, Anglian Water Services
– Pádraig Meehan, Senior Manager, OutForm (Chair)
12:10 | The Great Water Workforce Debate: Shortage, Perception or Culture Problem? 🔴
Sector leaders discuss the workforce challenges facing the industry, exploring recruitment, retention, culture and the sector’s ability to attract talent for the future.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Adam Cave, CEO, Murray McIntosh
– Charley Maher, CEO, South Staffs and Cambridge Water
– Neal Edmondson, Client Director, BFY Group
– Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Adam Cave, CEO, Murray McIntosh
– Charley Maher, CEO, South Staffs and Cambridge Water
– Neal Edmondson, Client Director, BFY Group
– Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise (Chair)
12:55 | Lunch, exhibition and networking 🟡
13:55 | Welcome back 🟡
14:00 | Customer and Community Resilience 🟢
An interactive workshop focused on turning the novel into the commonplace: As climate change reshapes water use, behaviours previously seen as novel are becoming everyday practice. Join us to explore how customers and communities are making water-saving a new normal.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Mike Keill, Consumer Council for Water
– Rachael Steller, Climate Change Committee
– Elena Duffy, Consumer Council for Water
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Mike Keill, Consumer Council for Water
– Rachael Steller, Climate Change Committee
– Elena Duffy, Consumer Council for Water
14:45 | Break 🟡
15:05 | Leading Through Operational Pressure 🟢
An informal conversation with senior leaders exploring decision-making, leadership and resilience in high-pressure operational environments.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Senior industry leader, TBC
– Emma Webster, Asset Management Consultant, AtkinsRéalis (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Senior industry leader, TBC
– Emma Webster, Asset Management Consultant, AtkinsRéalis (Chair)
15:45 | Reflection and closing remarks 🟡
Led by:
– Kara Sadler, Head of Water Quality, South Staffs Water
– Kara Sadler, Head of Water Quality, South Staffs Water
DAY 2 Friday 18th September
09:00 | Registration and refreshments 🟡
09:30 | Welcome and Introductions: Framing the human side of resilience 🟡
Led by:
– Sarah McMath, IWater President and CEO of MOSL
– Sarah McMath, IWater President and CEO of MOSL
09:45 | People Power: Behaviour, Demand and Collective Impact 🔵
Examining how behaviour change, customer engagement and community action can contribute to long-term resilience and more sustainable water use.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Simon Mutter, Strategy and Planning Partner, WEC (23red)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Simon Mutter, Strategy and Planning Partner, WEC (23red)
10:45 | Voice of Future Workers 🔴
A platform for emerging talent to share their expectations, experiences and aspirations for careers in the water sector.
Confirmed Speakers:
– A panel of representatives from London Design and Engineering UTC
– IWater Rising Stars including Fatima Naeem and Megan Riley, MOSL (Co-Chairs)
Confirmed Speakers:
– A panel of representatives from London Design and Engineering UTC
– IWater Rising Stars including Fatima Naeem and Megan Riley, MOSL (Co-Chairs)
11:15 | Refreshments, exhibition and networking 🟡
11:35 | Delivering Our Promises to Rebuild Trust 🔴
A discussion on how the sector can learn from past investment cycles, deliver infrastructure commitments and improve public confidence in water services.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Maha Smith, UNICEF
Confirmed Speakers:
– Maha Smith, UNICEF
– Karima Khandker -Thames Water
– Melina Persson, Client Director, UK Water Sector, Microsoft
– Paul Byrne, CEO – CABWI (Chair)
– Melina Persson, Client Director, UK Water Sector, Microsoft
– Paul Byrne, CEO – CABWI (Chair)
12:25 | Speed Debating: Learning Beyond Borders 🔴
Led by the IWA UK Committee, this interactive debate explores whether the water sector should look further afield for new ideas and proven solutions. With climate pressures reshaping our industry, hear opposing perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and value of learning from international peers.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Tom Williams, IWA
– Jo Parker, IWA
Confirmed Speakers:
– Tom Williams, IWA
– Jo Parker, IWA
12:55 | Lunch, exhibition and networking 🟡
13:55 | Regulation Is Our Friend, Not the Enemy 🟢
A panel discussion considering how evolving regulation can support better outcomes and help reshape relationships across the water sector.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Chris Walters, CEO, Ofwat
– Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
– Moira Malcolm, DWQR
– Helier Smith, CEO,Jersey Water
– Karma Loveday, Editor, The UK Water Report (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Chris Walters, CEO, Ofwat
– Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
– Moira Malcolm, DWQR
– Helier Smith, CEO,Jersey Water
– Karma Loveday, Editor, The UK Water Report (Chair)
14:40 | Rethinking Water Management for the 21st Century 🟢
A strategic look at demand management, water security and the scale of the challenges facing the sector in ensuring future water supplies.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Siân Thomas, Director of Strategic Asset Management, Anglian Water Services
– Bob Taylor, CEO, Portsmouth Water
Confirmed Speakers:
– Siân Thomas, Director of Strategic Asset Management, Anglian Water Services
– Bob Taylor, CEO, Portsmouth Water
15:15 | Reflection and closing remarks 🟡
Led by:
– Gaby Mandell, CEO, IWater
– Gaby Mandell, CEO, IWater