Boathouse 7 in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard was packed to the gunnels for the Institute of Water President’s Dinner & Awards last week.
After missing a year it was clear people were eager for a face-to-face event as the dinner sold out soon after tickets were released.
Guests assembled for drinks in the Mary Rose Museum where they were greeted by the newly-elected Institute of Water President Bob Taylor, CEO of Portsmouth Water, before taking a short stroll to the nearby Boathouse 7 for the Dinner & Awards. After starter and main course Bob took the stage to present the Awards.
Lynn Cooper, CEO at the Institute of Water, announced the first awards for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) before handing over to Steve Youell, Head of Emergency Planning & Security at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Immediate Past Chair of the Institute. The first winners on stage were Proteus Instruments Ltd, winners of the National Innovation Award. Rob Stevens, MD of Proteus Instruments, said:
“We’re all immensely proud, humbled and excited to have received the Institute of Water National Innovation Award for Proteus. Proteus represents 8 years of R&D, hard work, collaboration and teamwork both within RS Hydro and Proteus Instruments and with its clients. It’s an exciting time for us especially with the forthcoming changes in legislation with the Environment Bill 2021 and a recognition that we as a country, and as a global population, need to protect and increase the resilience of our water resources. If we can measure it, we can manage it and that is where Proteus will provide the step-change in approach to water resource management, wastewater process control & pollution monitoring. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far.”
After announcing the National Committee Members of the year and the winners of the President’s Cup and Allen Bolton Award, Steve handed over to Phil Beach CBE, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills. Phil presented awards for Skills and Training and a new award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion in the Water Industry which went to Thames Water. Phil said:
“I am delighted to have presented the four Energy & Utility Skills Awards at this year’s event, recognising those companies and individuals who value their people highly and ensure skills and diversity remain an important focus. Their achievements promote a resilient, skilled, diverse and sustainable workforce and encourage better long-term outcomes for their organisation, the sector and wider society. Congratulations to all this year’s winners.”
The final Award was from WaterAid, the favourite charity of the Institute of Water, for Outstanding Contribution to WaterAid. This year the Award went to the UK Water Industry for 40 years of support across the UK Water Industry, helping to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.
Bob Taylor received the Award on behalf of the UK Water Industry and said:
“As incoming President, it was an honour and a privilege to host such a successful sell out event with more than 300 people celebrating some of the achievements of the industry in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I would like to thank everyone for attending and heartily congratulate all of the award winners for their hard work and success. I was especially proud to receive the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Water Aid’ award on behalf of the industry in recognition of 40 years of strong support for what we see as ‘our’ charity.’
After dessert and coffee, guests were entertained by Colin Maclachlan, a former SAS soldier with over 25 years of security and risk-related experience, best known for appearing in Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5’s Secrets of the SAS. Most of Colin’s experiences relied on collaboration, a fitting prelude to the two-day Conference that was to follow: Shining a spotlight on successful collaboration.
The full list of Award Winners:
Institute of Water
CPD Award 2021
Winner: Lyndsey Wainwright (United Utilities)
Runner-up: Lydia Makin (Anglian Water)
National Innovation Awards 2021 sponsored by Southern Water
Winner: Proteus Instruments Ltd: Proteus Real-Time BOD/COD/Coliform Sensor
Runner-up: Water Kinetics: Eco-Duo’s Pipe-Within-a-Pipe system saves money, the environment, and lives!
Third Place: Bangor University, Cardiff University & Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water: Wastewater-Based Community-Level Surveillance of COVID-19 in Wales
National Committee Members of the Year 2021
Winners: Paul Holton (Southern Water), Emma Webster (Veolia) & Anne Newton (Yorkshire Water)
President’s Cup 2021
Winner: Welsh Area
Allen Bolton Award 2021
Winner: Phill Mills
Energy & Utility Skills
Water Industry Skills Champion of the Year
Winner: Aleck Bruce (Northumbrian Water)
Water Industry Skills Employer of the Year
Winner: Severn Trent Water
Water Industry Training Organisation of the Year
Winner: Develop Training
For Outstanding Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion in the Water Industry
Winner: Thames Water
WaterAid
Award for Outstanding Contribution to WaterAid
Winner: The UK Water Industry