The Institute of Water (IWater) is thrilled to announce the successful renewal of its licence to award professional registrations on behalf of the Society for the Environment (SocEnv).

Following a rigorous review process, IWater’s systems, procedures, and dedication to environmental professionalism have been recognized and commended.

IWater holds the prestigious authority to award three professional registrations in the environment field:

• Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
• Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
• Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech)

These registrations are designed to enable structured professional progression, offering an opportunity for individuals to advance their careers and expertise—from REnvTech to REnvP and ultimately to CEnv. Each step reflects a growing commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and professional excellence.

Recognition from the Review Panel

The recent licence review highlighted IWater’s continuous improvement and collaboration. Geoff Atkins, Head of Licence Delivery and Quality at SocEnv, shared his thoughts on the review:

“Whilst IWater have always had good systems and procedures in place, at the recent licence review, the Review Panel were impressed by further improvements made since the last review. Also impressive was the engagement IWater has with our other Licensed Members and with the SocEnv team. The Review Panel appreciated the openness with which IWater approached the review and were delighted to recommend IWater licences be renewed for up to a further five years.

I look forward to continuing to work closely with IWater colleagues, registrants, and members to progress environmental professionalism across the water sector, and welcoming many new CEnv, REnvP and REnvTech IWater members very soon.”

Commitment to Environmental Professionalism

IWater’s commitment to fostering professionalism across the water sector is core to our purpose. Rob Bradley CEnv, Professional Standards Manager at IWater, remarked:

“As befits the diversity of our membership spanning all areas of the water sector across the UK, all of those who hold an environmental registration prove their commitment to upholding these high standards.  As well as holding CEnv since 2013 myself, every part of support we provide to our members extends into the communities and companies they work with, ensuring all of us are trusted to act to the best of our abilities in defence of our environments.”

Natalie Akroyd CEnv, Vice President Environment at IWater, remarked:

“We are delighted to have our licence renewed. We know how critical environmental professional development and registration is to our industry, now more than ever, and environmental registration is an increasing area of focus for our members. The positive feedback from SocEnv on their findings during the review process is recognition of the hard work that Rob and the team have put in to improving our approach and processes to ensure our members can progress their professional development with the Institute.”

Looking Ahead

As IWater continues to support its members in achieving professional registration, the renewed licence reinforces our dedication to advancing environmental standards within the water industry. By fostering collaboration, promoting excellence, and enabling progression, IWater is proud to help shape a sustainable future for the sector.

We’re excited to welcome many new Chartered Environmentalists, Registered Environmental Practitioners, and Registered Environmental Technicians into our growing family. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the environment and the water sector.

The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) has officially opened nominations for the prestigious 2025 SocEnv Awards! This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise environmental professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership in their field.

About the Awards

The SocEnv Awards highlight the achievements of individuals who have gone above and beyond to protect, preserve, or enhance the environment. Two highly sought-after awards are up for grabs:

• 2025 Environmental Professional of the Year – Recognising outstanding individuals who have made a significant impact through their environmental work.
• 2025 Rising Star – Celebrating early-career professionals who are making a difference and showing great promise in their field.

Why Nominate?

These awards provide an excellent platform to inspire future generations of environmental professionals, showcase the incredible work happening across the sector, and highlight the skills and achievements of those striving to make a difference.

Previous winners have spoken highly about the recognition that comes with the award. Adrian Mill CEnv, the reigning 2024 Environmental Professional of the Year, shared how winning the award has boosted his professional profile:

“I’m proud to tell anyone who’ll listen that I have won the award. It has led to more speaking opportunities, raising the profile of both my companies and the environmental causes I’m passionate about.”

Similarly, Claire Wansbury CEnv, the 2023 Environmental Professional of the Year, reflected on the importance of recognition in the industry:

“It is easy to take what we do day to day for granted, but we can all make a real difference. I encourage anyone considering applying or nominating a colleague to do so—it’s a simple process and allows us to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our profession.”

How to Nominate

Nominations are open to Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioners (REnvP), and Registered Environmental Technicians (REnvTech). However, nominations can be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations.

To ensure inclusivity, SocEnv is once again accepting video nominations, making it easier than ever for professionals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Key Details:

• Nominations Open: Tuesday 25th February 2025
• Deadline to Submit: Tuesday 15th April 2025
• Cost: Free to enter

Visit the SocEnv Awards page to learn more, download nomination guidelines, and submit your entry.

Now is the time to gain well-deserved recognition for yourself or a deserving colleague. Submit your nomination today and be part of celebrating excellence in the environmental sector!

The Institute of Water (IWater) is proud to participate in Chartered Week 2025, the first in an ongoing annual national awareness week dedicated to celebrating and promoting the role of professional registration and its impact on society today.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Trusted Professionals,” highlights the dedication, expertise, and integrity of those who achieve chartered status and other professional accreditations—key qualities that our family of UK water professionals embody.

About Professional Registration

Professional registration is a recognition of knowledge, experience, and professionalism, demonstrating an individual’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing their skills through continuing professional development (CPD).

IWater’s approach to Professional Registration is unique and supportive, reflecting our role as seeking to better equip our members to do their day jobs, advocate for the sector and improve the environment and lives of their communities.

As the only professional body licensed to offer nine grades of professional registration across Engineering, Environment, and Science we provide tailored support to help individuals achieve and maintain their status.

Why Chartership Matters

Achieving chartered status is a mark of excellence, demonstrating an individual’s commitment to continuous learning, ethical practice, and leadership within their field. It strengthens trust within the industry and ensures that professionals are equipped to tackle the challenges facing the water sector today and in the future.

Get Involved

To mark Chartered Week 2025, the Institute of Water will be:

• Sharing insights from our Chartered Members about their journeys and achievements
• Highlighting the history and evolution of our professional registration offering in the water sector
• Providing guidance and resources to help members take the next step in their careers

Water professionals at all stages of their careers are encouraged to get involved by following the conversation on social media using #CharteredWeek and exploring our online resources.

For more information on professional registration and how to start your journey, visit: https://instituteofwater.org.uk/professional-registration/

2024 marks a significant milestone for the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration, a globally recognised designation made possible through the Society for the Environment (SocEnv). Among the founding partners of SocEnv in 2002, the Institute of Water (IWater) has been at the forefront of championing environmental competence, making this anniversary a proud moment for its members and the wider environmental community.

The CEnv designation was established in 2004 following SocEnv’s receipt of a Royal Charter. Its aim was clear: to professionalise environmental practice by recognising individuals with proven expertise and dedication to sustainable development. During these 20 years, over 11,000 professionals, including over 250 from the Institute of Water, have joined or been members of the CEnv community, making invaluable contributions to environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation.

Ministerial Support for Environmental Professionals

In celebration of this 20-year milestone, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Nature, Mary Creagh CBE MP, expressed her appreciation for the vital work of Chartered Environmentalists. In her letter to SocEnv, she wrote:

“I want to express my appreciation for the invaluable contributions of Chartered Environmentalists across the UK, over the hugely impressive 20 years of the Society, its Royal Charter, and the distinguished CEnv professional registration. Your collective expertise, dedication, and innovative approaches are at the heart of efforts to tackle the environmental and wider societal challenges we face today.

Your collective work is vital in ensuring that our natural environment is protected, enhanced and managed sustainably, while developing green skills, creating quality jobs and supporting communities and businesses to ensure that environmental benefits are shared equitably.”

Mary then outlined her eagerness to work with, and learn from, CEnv professionals to collectively tackle the multitude of challenges we face: 

“I look forward to working with the Society and to drawing on the expertise and support of innumerable Chartered Environmentalists as we pursue shared goals to achieve net zero, enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, drive resource efficiency and sustainable food production, and build resilient communities in the face of climate change.”

Institute of Water: A Founding Force

As one of the eight founding bodies of SocEnv, the Institute of Water has played a pivotal role in nurturing environmental professionalism within the water sector. Through its support for the CEnv registration, IWater continues to empower its members to lead the way in sustainability, innovation, and environmental excellence.

Commenting on this milestone, Gabrielle Mandell, Chief Executive of the Institute of Water, said:

“The Institute of Water is incredibly proud to have been a founding partner of the Society for the Environment and to have supported the Chartered Environmentalist registration from the very beginning. For 20 years, CEnv professionals have been making a real difference, and we’re delighted that so many of our members are part of this remarkable community. As we look ahead, we remain committed to equipping our members with the tools, recognition, and opportunities they need to lead the way in achieving a sustainable future.”

Reflecting on this achievement, SocEnv Chief Executive Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv FIMMM CMgr stated:

“Ministerial support for environmental professionals and the superb work they do can only be a good thing—especially if it provides greater opportunities to influence policy and decision-making. The CEnv registration—and more recently REnvP and REnvTech—has amplified the influence and trust in the environmental profession. Together with our partners like the Institute of Water, we share a vision for a sustainable future. If you’re considering becoming a CEnv, there’s no better time than now to take that step.”

Join the Celebration

The Institute of Water invites its members to explore the benefits of CEnv registration and celebrate 20 years of progress in environmental professionalism. Together, let’s continue shaping a sustainable future.

Discover 20 years of CEnv: socenv.org.uk/20-years-of-cenv
Learn about becoming a CEnv: socenv.org.uk/chartered-environmentalist
Become a CEnv via IWater: https://instituteofwater.org.uk/chartered-environmentalist-cenv/

In the first quarter of 2023, IWater’s environmental licensing body, Society for the Environment confirmed a greater number of new Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) registrations compared to any previous three-month period – an REnvP record quarter.

The record number of environmental practitioners joining the official register during this period is on par with new Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registrants for the first time.

Reacting to the news, Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment, Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, said:

“As organisations continue to make steps towards a more sustainable way of working, more professionals with proven environmental competence are needed. Our aim is to have such professionals in every discipline. Our Technician, Practitioner and Chartered professionals are all playing a huge role in creating a more sustainable world.”

Emma adds; “With the introduction of the REnvP less than two years ago, it is heart-warming to now know that this has proven to be both an entry route and a progression pathway for environmental professionals that resonates as we hoped. If you joined the REnvP register in our record-breaking quarter on your journey to CEnv, or if REnvP is the perfect fit for your career, welcome to the community and thank you for leading the way.”

Rob Plews CEng REnvP, Associate Director at The Shadbolt Group, achieved REnvP during Q1 of 2023 via membership of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and noted:

“Bring a Registered Environmental Practitioner compliments my CEng Chartership from IOM3 by confirming that I work in a more varied field beyond core geotechnical work. As a modern geoenvironmental company, recognising that I, and others across the business, have a strong understanding of contaminated land – and how to deal with it – is vital.”

A popular route to REnvP registration is via membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Martin Baxter CEnv, Deputy CEO at IEMA, commented on the rising number of REnvP professionals:

“There is a growing demand for people with the skills to implement change for a cleaner, greener future. As businesses translate top-line sustainability targets into on-the-ground action, Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) status will become increasingly important as a mark of practical competence in environmental management and protection.”

By becoming a REnvP, you are highlighting that you have been judged by your peers who have found you to be consistently advancing and advocating good environmental practices. To find out more about IWater’s REnvP offering, click HERE

During a special set of events ahead of Earth Day, Engineers Ireland have today unveiled a new, exciting opportunity to their 25,000+ members – Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) professional registration.

The announcement comes ahead of World Earth Day and Ireland’s Overshoot Day, the day when human consumption outstrips nature’s resource budget for the entire year if everyone in the world lived like the Irish population.

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Engineers Ireland are the first professional body based outside of the UK to offer CEnv registration to members. They join a collective of 25 professional bodies offering CEnv registration to members all over the world – with 15% of registrants being based outside of the UK already.

Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, Chief Executive of the Society for the Environment, said “We see environmental professionalism as the vital component in our efforts to build a sustainable future. A workforce with proven, up to date environmental competence, commitment and overall professionalism must be in place across all sectors globally. The engineering community is major part of this, and we encourage current and future Engineers Ireland members to lead the way.

Welcoming the first professional body to our SocEnv family with their HQ outside of the UK is hugely positive. Environmental challenges do not stop at geographical borders. We look forward to broadening our Chartered Environmentalist community and facilitating further professional connections to address the challenges we face and turn opportunities into meaningful results.”

CEnv registration is the internationally recognised gold standard accreditation of environmental competence, commitment and professionalism. Its cross-disciplinary format serves to reflect the scope of sustainability – from engineering to agriculture, ecology to waste management. Professionals in every sector can showcase their knowledge and experience, encouraging positive, well-informed, trusted action in all professions.

It’s time to lead the way.

To become a Chartered Environmentalist with Engineers Ireland, applicants must first be a Chartered Engineer and must be able to demonstrate:

• application of knowledge and understanding of the environment to further the aims of sustainability;
• leadership in sustainable management of the environment;
• effective communication and interpersonal skills; and
• a personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession, and the environment.

To find out more about obtaining CEnv registration via Engineers Ireland, visit: engineersireland.ie/Professionals/Membership/Registered-professional-titles/Chartered-Environmentalist

Engineers Ireland join 24 other professional bodies offering CEnv registration to their members, including IWater. To find out more, visit:  socenv.org.uk/our-licensed-members

Nominations are now open for both the Environmental Professional of the Year and Registrant Newcomer of the Year awards.

As of today, the Society for the Environment (SocEnv) is welcoming nominations for the 2023 edition of the prestigious SocEnv Awards. Nominations for the Environmental Professional of the Year and Registrant Newcomer of the Year awards will be open until 09:00 BST on Tuesday 11^th April. 

The 2023 SocEnv Awards will recognise outstanding achievements of registered environmental professionals. It is your chance to inspire the next generation, to recognise the skills of your peers and to remind one another why we’re here, doing what we do and striving every day to make a difference to the environment.

Nominees for both awards must be registered as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech). However, nominations can be submitted by anyone, including self-nominations. 

Recent past winners of the Environmental Professional of the Year include:

• 2022 – Becky Toal CEnv, Managing Director at Crowberry Consulting Ltd
• 2021 – Dan Reading CEnv, Head of Sustainability at World Sailing
• 2020 – Mandhy Senewiratne CEnv – Director Sustainability, Communication and Change Management at Fyrefly Global Sustainability Ltd AND
• David Symons CEnv – UK Director of Sustainability at WSP

Recent past winners of the Registrant Newcomer of the Year include:

• 2022 – Paul Field CEnv, Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager at Janus International Europe Ltd  
• 2021 – Lara Young CEnv, Group Carbon Manager at Costain
• 2020 – Chris Landsburgh CEnv – Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Wills Bros Ltd

Submit a Nomination

For further details, to learn more about last year’s winners, meet the judges and to submit a nomination, please visit: socenv.org.uk/socenv-awards

Video Nomination Pilot

This year the SocEnv Awards will be piloting video nominations as an option to make the application process more accessible to a wider range of people.

Results Event

The award winners will be announced by means of a free online celebration event on Tuesday 6th June 2023. To register your attendance and show your support for the work of the selected finalists, please visit: socenv.org.uk/socenv-awards

Now is the time to gain some well-deserved recognition! Nominate yourself or a well-deserved colleague for free, today.

Winners Revealed at Inspiring SocEnv Awards Event

Annual awards ceremony marks a celebration of the achievements of the environmental professional community – including announcing the winners of the 2022 SocEnv Awards.

The ceremony also saw Founder of Ecotricity Dale Vince OBE recognised for his outstanding services to the environment.

More than 7,500 environmental professionals meet the required standards to highlight their environmental and sustainability expertise as a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) or Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech), but some warrant further recognition for going above and beyond and are commended via the SocEnv Awards. The winners of the 2022 Awards were announced earlier today (8 June) via a free virtual event.

The Environmental Professional of the Year award is designed to highlight those who have truly excelled in the last year, going above and beyond to make a difference in the cause of environmental protection.

After much deliberation within the judging panel, the 2022 Environmental Professional of the Year award was awarded as follows:

2022 Environmental Professional of the Year Winner

Becky Toal CEnv

Managing Director, Crowberry Consulting Ltd

Registered via the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

In judging Becky to be the winner of this prestigious award, the judging panel noted her clear knowledge and leadership, excellent communication skills, and infectious passion for protecting the environment. Setting up and leading her own business Crowberry Consulting Ltd since 2006, in this time she has supported swathes of UK and EU based businesses to become more sustainable by implementing ISO environmental management systems, delivering innovative training courses, and giving back to a profession that has given her so much, by coaching and mentoring early career professionals. A career highlight was achieved in 2021, as Becky was appointed – in partnership with Arup – as Lead Sustainability Consultant of both G7 and COP26, with her work duly recognised as the events were awarded the ISO 20121 standard. All of this and more shows Becky as someone truly going above and beyond to protect the environment – and a worthy winner of the 2022 Environmental Professional of the Year award.

The Registrant Newcomer of the Year award also showcases outstanding environmental work but is specifically available to those who have achieved their registration on or after the 1st January 2021; shining a light on those who have really hit the ground running since becoming a REnvP, REnvTech or CEnv.

This award category was also hotly contested, with some exceptional nominations received. The winner for this award was awarded as follows:

2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year Winner

Paul Field CEnv

Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager, Janus International Europe Ltd

Registered via the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

As with Becky, the judging panel were hugely impressed with Paul’s nomination. In particular, they commended his determination, broad experience and strong commitment to learning and the upholding of professional standards. The judging panel remarked on his ‘full circle’ journey from working in fossil fuel extraction – firstly as a coal miner and then within the automobile sector – to becoming a Chartered Environmentalist and excelling in his role as Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager at Janus International Europe Ltd – a global company working in sustainable self-storage solutions. Particularly standout was the clear impact of Paul’s work since the start of 2021, guiding Janus towards its goal to be Net Zero by 2040 – implementing environmental management systems and developing a sustainability roadmap. As a result of his many achievements, Paul is without doubt a well-deserving winner of the 2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year award.

The results event also saw another leading figure in the environmental profession awarded as a Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment (HonFSE), recognised for their service to the environment. They are as follows:

Newly Awarded Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment

Dale Vince OBE HonFSE

Founder, Ecotricity

Adding to the celebration, the event also saw last year’s HonFSE recipient Professor Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv deliver a topical lecture on the vital role environmental professionals play in protecting our planet, and delegates heard from several leading Chartered Environmentalists on what this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘Only One Earth’ means to them.

Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, SocEnv Chief Executive, comments: “Huge congratulations to all those honoured during this year’s awards and lecture event. We know the amazing work carried out by more than 7,500 registered environmental professionals around the world, but every year it’s special to bestow those going above and beyond with further special recognition. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event and showcasing the continued achievements of the environmental professional community.”

The results of the 2019 Environmental Professionals Survey undertaken by the Society for the Environment reveal a largely positive snapshot of the environmental profession.

The results demonstrate that Professional Registrations are valued increasingly highly by Environmental Professionals and employers, as well as showing a growing confidence among professionals of the impact they have in delivering environmental protection.

As Custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registers, the Society for the Environment ran its biennial survey between early February and mid-March of this year and received 615 responses. The survey asked registrants a number of questions relating to their registration, job security as well as their engagement with the Society.

Among the key findings, the survey found that an increasingly high number (eighty per cent) of CEnv registrants are likely or very likely to recommend CEnv registration, an increase of twelve per cent from our 2017 survey.

The results also show that employers are holding Professional Registrations and Professional Body memberships in higher regard, with seventy per cent of registrants saying they know or think their professional registration is valued by their employer – an eight per cent increase from 2017. Also encouraging is a ten per cent rise in the number of registrants who said their Professional Body membership is paid for by their employer – reaching a total of sixty-three per cent.

When reflecting on the state of the environmental profession, registrants were optimistic. Thirty-two percent of respondents felt they were having a large impact in delivering environmental protection, compared to nineteen per cent in 2017. In a new question for the 2019 survey, registrants were asked to look ahead over the next five years, with sixty-seven per cent reporting they were somewhat or very optimistic about the ability of Environmental Professionals to deliver gains in environmental protection.

Registrants also showed greater confidence in their job security. Thirty-two per cent said they were somewhat or very confident they could find equivalent employment in the next month – a rise of three per cent from two years prior. When extended to three months, fifty-five per cent were confident that they would be able to find equivalent employment, compared to fifty per cent in 2017.

Dr Emma Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer of the Society for the Environment, said:

“These results contain many positive signs for the environmental profession. The competence requirements set out within CEnv and REnvTech mean that these registrations are key to ensuring high standards throughout the profession. As demonstrated by these results, registrants and employers are placing increased value on registration, which is hugely encouraging in envisioning a future where registration is an industry norm. We are also pleased to see the findings reflect a confident profession, with professionals looking ahead to the many challenges we face with optimism.

The survey has also helped us recognise where we can improve to help our registrants and the profession as a whole. Asked what they would like us to produce or share more of, good or best practice guides and greater Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities were the most popular choices, cited by fifty-five per cent of respondents. In response to these findings, we have established a dedicated ‘Knowledge Hub’ section of our website which you can find at: https://socenv.org.uk/KnowledgeHub.

This has been developed to serve as a hub of information and expertise – sharing good practice guides and insightful expert-led webinars and podcasts, alongside other great sources of information and advice. We are always on the lookout for more sources to share, so if would like to suggest some new content, please contact Sarah Ridgeon. We are also looking to expand our CPD opportunities – so watch this space!”

We are delighted to confirm that Sir Graham Wynne and Michael Way CEnv have joined the line-up of amazing speakers for the Society’s Annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures on the 4th June.

Sir Graham Wynne will deliver the annual Honorary Fellow (HonFSE) Lecture, following the presentation of his award.

Sir Graham is a Distinguished Fellow with the World Resources Institute (WRI), currently working as an advisor to the Global Commission on Adaptation. He is also a Trustee of Green Alliance, and was formerly Chief Executive of the RSPB (1998 to 2010).

Michael Way CEnv MCIEEM is the Partnership Coordinator (Americas) at the Conservation Science Department of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. On the theme of “Banking seeds for the future: the work of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank Partnership”, Michael will use the development and implementation of global standards as an example of the professionalisation of this field and the resulting impact that high quality collections and data can have in plant conservation and sustainable use strategies.

Sir Graham and Michael add to the expertise of our other confirmed speakers:

• Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Claire Wansbury CEnv, Associate Director of Ecology at SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins
• Nick Blyth CEnv, Policy & Engagement Lead at IEMA
• Richard Deverell, Director at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Registration is free for CEnv and REnvTech registrants and just £50 for non-registrants. Register your attendance today at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 before the 3rd June.