Speaker

A focus on innovation has been the central theme underpinning Tony’s forty-year career in the water industry. As a Visiting Professor at the UK University of Sheffield, his primary areas of research include accelerating innovation, fostering collaboration, the water utility of the future, and leading sustainable change and transformation. Tony is co-author of the “Water Industry Guide for Collaborative Innovation”. Serving on the Leadership Council of the UK Water Partnership, Tony was lead author of the white paper on “Digital Water”. Tony is a former Executive Director of United Utilities, a water utility serving seven million customers in the north west of England. As well as holding executive responsibility for innovation, he has led Asset Management, Operations and Engineering functions, together with business transformation and regulatory programmes. He led the creation of the company’s “Future Concept of Operation”, and as Director of Curiosity, identified world leading water utility innovation, engaging with hubs around the globe. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a Director of British Water and Chair of the Water Industry Forum, a thought leadership centre on water. Tony advises organisations across the water sector, from global enterprises and utilities to supply chain and early stage innovators, on optimising and accelerating innovation, enabling collaboration, developing innovation eco-systems, regulatory engagement, and leadership of change