The Institute of Water (IWater) is proud to introduce the 2025 Rising Stars, a group of outstanding professionals from across the UK water sector who have been selected for this development programme.
The Rising Stars Programme offers a range of unique opportunities designed to develop the skills of a select group of early-career professionals each year.
This year’s cohort represents all eight IWater regions. They include:
Eastern Area – Tanisha Kaur, Anglian Water
Midlands Area – Ellie-kay Dawe, Aqua Consultants
Northern Area – Joshua Ketley, WRc Group
Northern Ireland Area – Pádraig Meehan, OutForm Consulting | B Corp Certified
Scottish Area – Nessa Stromberg, WSP
South East Area – Jesie Dyos, Thames Water
South West Area – Ross Walker, RPS
Welsh Area – Thomas Jenkins, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
This tailor-made Programme allows early career professionals to learn more about their industry, take charge of organising site visits, grow their communicative abilities, increase their confidence, and connect with industry leaders.
Our past Rising Stars cohorts and employers have credited the Programme with helping them secure jobs, enhance their skill set, build their network and increase their future employability opportunities.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of these future leaders as they embark on an exciting year of growth and opportunity. Stay tuned for updates on their journey throughout 2025!
Learn more about this year’s Rising Stars’ here: https://instituteofwater.org.uk/rising-stars/
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Institute of Water’s 2025 Rising Stars Programme!
This tailor-made Programme empowers early career professionals to take charge of organising site visits, enhance their communication abilities, boost their confidence, and connect with industry leaders.
It allows participants to grow personally and professionally, expanding their networks and opening doors to future opportunities.
Why apply?
Past Rising Stars and their employers credited the Programme with helping secure new job opportunities, increase skill sets, and build valuable industry connections. The benefits gained through participation are significant, enhancing employability and providing a strong platform for future career growth.
What is needed to apply
To apply, you must be someone with:
– A full individual IWater membership
– An employer who will support your involvement
– An early-stage water sector career
– A passion for professional development
Please note: We do not accept Rising Stars applications from trial members.
How to apply
Please complete the Application Form and send it with your CV and 1000 words to info@instituteofwater.org.uk
Download the Application Form HERE
Managers: Encourage your teams to apply
If you have talented early professionals on your team who are eager to grow, this programme offers an invaluable opportunity for development. We encourage managers to support and motivate their team members to apply and take advantage of this fantastic chance to build skills, confidence, and connections within the industry.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Please note we will not accept any applications after this time.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to further your career!
By Mia Tarrant, Process Scientist, Severn Trent
It’s been another busy quarter for the Rising Stars, starting with a workshop with Water Aid hearing about their strategy for the next year and how we can all be involved in raising awareness and support.
In September, the rising stars played a big role in the Institute of Water’s Annual Conference. The busy 4-day trip to Cardiff started off with the rising stars facilitating discussions in a ‘Meet the Leaders’ event, where we were able to have great conversations with some industry-familiar faces. Day 2 was a jam-packed day at the conference, networking and hearing some thought-provoking discussions around trust in the industry. Day 3 carried on the theme of trust, whereby the rising stars were invited to both facilitate and be panellists on their own session, discussing the topic of trust with someone new to the industry. Some really interesting points were made, including, “have you been told your manager trusts you?” Despite being the last-but-one session to conclude the conference, it was a brilliant session with an engaging question and answer session. This was a great way to conclude the conference as it was many of the rising star’s first time on a panel.
The final day in Cardiff was spent at Arup, hosted by Welsh Area Rising Star, Kathryn Evans. The day began with a leadership and career insights workshop, followed by a discussion around modelling and catchments. This ended with a trip to see Cardiff’s innovative rain gardens.
By Mia Tarrant, Process Scientist, Severn Trent
The busiest quarter for the rising stars, an excellent summer, with some interesting visits.
Late May, our Scottish Area Rising Star, Isla Jones hosted the 2023 Rising Stars cohort in Edinburgh for a jam-packed 2 days at Scottish Water’s Juniper House. It was an incredible visit focused on scientific services and innovation. There were some fascinating tours of the microbiology, organic
and inorganic chemistry labs; great presentations about scientific services, DWQR and Scottish Water’s research and innovation; and engaging discussions with about their careers and CPD.
The trip culminated at The National Robotarium, where all our Rising Stars were left thinking about how the world of robotics could be incorporated into the future of the water industry.
In June, the Rising Stars went to Belfast for a trip of NI Water and WSP hosted by NI Area Rising Star, Sian Walker. The trip started off with a visit to the iconic Silent Valley Reservoir for a presentation about NI Reservoir act and a tour of the reservoir and tunnels underneath, followed by an innovation workshop back at WSP. Day 2, they visited NI Water for presentations on NI regulatory model and asset performance, followed by a CEO masterclass with Sara Venning. The trip finished back at WSP to learn more about water resource planning and CFD modelling.
The next trip for the Rising Stars will be to Exeter hosted by SW Area Rising Star, Gulshen Unveren and then the IWA UK YPN conference in Birmingham.
The Institute of Water Rising Stars are completing a 22,000 step (12 mile) walk around London on Tuesday the 29th October, starting at WaterAid Head Office, Durham St, Vauxhall at 13:00, to raise money for WaterAid, all dressed in water related fancy dress, including a toilet!
Around the world, 1 in 9 people don’t have access to clean water within or close to their home. This distance is to emulate the distance that mothers and young children have to walk every day to collect water.
Those living without this everyday essential do not have an equal chance to be healthy, educated and financially secure.
WaterAid has reached 27 million people with clean water so far, but there is still a long way to go.
The Institute of Water Rising Stars are a group of Water Sector professionals who have been identified as being new industry talent and given the opportunity to develop their skills.
By doing this walk, the Rising Stars will be raising money and awareness to support this cause; they will be walking past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye, Horse Guards Parade, The Mall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford St., Regent St., John Snow Water Pump, Leicester Square, Somerset House, St Pauls Cathedral, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Golden Hinde, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Westminster Bridge.
To donate please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/instituteofwater-risingstars
