John is the Water Network Strategy and Planning Manager at United Utilities, and leads a team responsible for developing and embedding water network strategies. Building on his experience of leakage and water demand strategy development, John’s remit covers water supply interruptions and water quality. Previously, John supported the development of several water resources management plans, with technical expertise spanning the whole planning process, including supply and demand forecasting, risk/uncertainty analysis and decision-making methods.

After graduating from aerospace engineering, Richard undertook a PhD exploring the buckling of non-linear elastic tubes in torsion and their use as control valves. Since 2009, Richard has worked in civil engineering, initially researching the risk of contaminant intrusion in WDS through transient events. Richard's research interests include transients in water distribution systems, including the monitoring and modelling of transients in real systems, exploring their impacts on infrastructure assets, and understanding the uncertainties associated with propagation in real complex networks. He is also committed to the understanding of leakage and the physical causes of leakage, and how to find, fix and maintain networks. Richard is also researching the hydraulics of intermittent water systems, and exploring approaches to transition to continuous water systems.

Tanya has 17 years’ experience in the water industry, having fulfilled roles in network modelling, leakage management, asset strategy and smart water strategy. Tanya has previously worked in senior management roles for SES Water, heading up the delivery of the first company-wide smart network in the UK, establishing the world’s largest pipe condition assessment programme through the DMA Asset Health project and, most recently, programme managing the smart metering roll-out for SES Water. Tanya has now leveraged her experience and moved into the world of consultancy, establishing Dayworth Consulting in 2023.

Tim helps decision-makers in water companies gain the clarity they need to better manage their networks. Tim is an environmental data scientist, who has spent much of the last 20 years studying the interactions between soil, weather and infrastructure failures. He helps water companies to model the impacts to their networks from climate change so they can both demonstrate to regulators and their investors the scale of the coming challenges, and also focus their short-term resources more efficiently to maximise long-term resilience. Tim is passionate about helping leaders change their organisations for the betterment of the people they serve now and in the future.

In his role at The National Robotarium, Pete works in the domains of nuclear, on- and off-shore energy, construction, manufacturing, space and unmanned autonomous vehicles. Pete has a wide breadth of experience in many roles in industry, from software and systems engineering to project and programme management, strategy and business development. He has worked closely with many cultures across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He enjoys working closely with people to see whether robotics and AI can provide solutions to the challenges they face.

Richard has 16 years’ experience working across multiple disciplines within treated water distribution, including active leakage control, pressure management, transient detection and mitigation and smart water. Richard’s recent work has focused on harnessing the power of data and technology to better understand the many factors that affect pipe deterioration. Richard is always looking to collaborate with colleagues from across the industry, particularly within the field of pipe deterioration and failure.

Sam is Head of Integrated Network Strategy, leading strategic and technical teams in water and wastewater networks at United Utilities. His role brings together experience in wastewater networks as an operational area manager with past academic studies and subsequent doctorate in leakage management from the University of Sheffield. Since 2021, Sam has led UKWIR’s Big Question programme on how to achieve zero water supply interruptions by 2050, focusing on the evolution of the routemap to realise this ambition.

With more than 30 years' experience in the water industry, and a background in mechanical engineering and database applications, Jeremy is responsible for the management of innovation within SES Water. He has a keen interest in innovations that will transform how we manage our water networks, in particular smart metering, smart networks, artificial intelligence and IoT communications. In addition to his role at SES Water, Jeremy is also the lead for the UKWIR national zero leakage project and is responsible for driving the UK leakage research programme.

Matt has a background in leading operational teams in the delivery of safe, clean drinking water, together with extensive experience in asset management and leading large infrastructure investment programmes. Most recently, Matt has led specialist teams in the delivery of a large and varied optimisation programme including network optimisation and pressure management, energy efficiency, treatment works optimisation and delivery of smart network solutions. These programmes delivered significant savings in leakage and water loss, operational expenditure and carbon, while ensuring excellent customer service. Matt is currently the senior leader on the Safe Smart Systems project ensuring effective delivery on behalf of Anglian Water and the wider industry. This transformational programme aims to evolve water operations through the use of AI and developing the capabilities and organisational design to make it successful.

With 13 years in the water industry, Paul has been deeply immersed in the intricate challenges and dynamics of minimising water loss and optimising water resources. His journey has taken him through a diverse range of projects, where he's successfully applied his operational knowledge to develop innovative solutions and strategies. As a Senior Consultant, Paul combines his operational acumen, technical data expertise, stakeholder engagement finesse and team management acumen. His dedication to staying at the forefront of the field ensures he offers valuable contributions that positively impact his team's objectives and the larger mission of water conservation. Paul looks forward to further engaging with colleagues and partners in the industry to continue making significant strides in minimising water loss and maximising the efficient use of water resources.