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. With an exciting programme of keynote speakers, expert panels and networking opportunities, the conference will explore the ideas, innovations and collaborations needed to build a more resilient water future. View the full programme below and meet the speakers taking part.
Join us for two days of keynote speakers, technical sessions, networking opportunities and the Institute of Water Reception and Annual Awards.
Meet the Speakers and learn more about the industry experts taking part in this year’s conference.
📅 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 🟡
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:
– Stuart Colville, Deputy CEO, Water UK
Confirmed Speakers:
– Stuart Colville, Deputy CEO, Water UK
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 Angela,MacOscar, Head of Innovation, Northumbrian Water (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Angela,MacOscar, Head of Innovation, Northumbrian Water (Chair)
– Dr Natalie Lamb, Senior Manager, Sector Intelligence at Spring
– Matilda Rhode, CISO, Welsh Water
– Matilda Rhode, CISO, Welsh Water
– Karl Dalton, Head of Water,Sieman’s
– Laura Musgrave, Director – Responsible AI, CGI UK.
– Laura Musgrave, Director – Responsible AI, CGI UK.
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
– Andy Wilson, Principal Consultant, Support Engineering (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Rachel Fletcher, Director of Regulation and Economics, Octopus Energy
– Rebecca Harrison, Anglian Water Services
– Andy Wilson, Principal Consultant, Support Engineering (Chair)
– Pádraig Meehan, Senior Manager, OutForm
– Steve Barrett, Director of Membership & Strategic Accounts, Energy & Utility Skills
– Steve Barrett, Director of Membership & Strategic Accounts, Energy & Utility Skills
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
– Barry Hayward, South Staffs
– Neal Edmondson, Client Director, BFY Group
– Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Adam Cave, CEO, Murray McIntosh
– Barry Hayward, South Staffs
– Neal Edmondson, Client Director, BFY Group
– Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise (Chair)
– Fatima Naeem (Rising Star)
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 Keil, Consumer Council for Water
– Rachael Steller, Climate Change Committee
– Elena Duffy, Consumer Council for Water
– IWater Rising Star Wil Chidley, Dwrcym
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Mike Keil, Consumer Council for Water
– Rachael Steller, Climate Change Committee
– Elena Duffy, Consumer Council for Water
– IWater Rising Star Wil Chidley, Dwrcym
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:
– Dave Hinton, Consultant
– Nicola Shaw, Yorkshire Water
– Emma Webster, Treatment Solutions Manager, NI Water (Chair)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dave Hinton, Consultant
– Nicola Shaw, Yorkshire Water
– Emma Webster, Treatment Solutions Manager, NI Water (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 🟡
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)
10:30 | IWA YWP Conference Presentation 🟢
– Confirmed Speaker:
– Pooja Prakesh, MattMcDonald
– Pooja Prakesh, MattMcDonald
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; Adrianna Rudowska, Mia Persson, Artemis Thomas, Halima Omari Hakim.
– IWater Rising Stars including Aimee Hart, Apprentice Civil Engineer, McAdam Design and Olivia Jackson, Ofwat (Co-Chairs)
Confirmed Speakers:
– A panel of representatives from London Design and Engineering UTC; Adrianna Rudowska, Mia Persson, Artemis Thomas, Halima Omari Hakim.
– IWater Rising Stars including Aimee Hart, Apprentice Civil Engineer, McAdam Design and Olivia Jackson, Ofwat (Co-Chairs)
11:15 | Refreshments, exhibition and networking 🟡
11:35 | Building the Skills to Deliver the Water Sector’s Future 🔴
A discussion covering workforce capability, infrastructure planning, talent pipelines, development, leadership, organisational culture, and collaboration.
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Sally Watson, Non-Executive Director, British Water
Confirmed Speakers:
– Dr Sally Watson, Non-Executive Director, British Water
– Karima Khandker, Director of Resourcing, Skills, Learning and EDI, 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
– IWater Rising Stars Meg Riley (MOSL) and Sarah Wardlaw (Rosseng)
Confirmed Speakers:
– Tom Williams, IWA
– Jo Parker, IWA
– IWater Rising Stars Meg Riley (MOSL) and Sarah Wardlaw (Rosseng)
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