UKWIR is responsible for facilitating the shaping of the water industry's research agenda, developing the research programme, procuring and managing the research and disseminating the findings. 

Our Vision

Water is the key to life itself and is vital to our communities, businesses and the environment.  Our ambition is to create a platform for research and innovation that meets the challenges of the water industry, involving key stakeholders to deliver real outcomes and benefits to the sector. A Summary Document highlighting examples of our work to date and also our plans for the coming year can be found below in our Annual Review 2020/21 document.

Annual Review 2021/22 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Delivery of a successful research programme requires input from our members (the water companies of the UK and Ireland) in defining their needs, steering projects and applying the outputs in order to secure the anticipated benefits. 

Members benefit from collaboration on research projects of common interest and elimination of duplication in research, enabling them to get more value for their investment.

UKWIR relies on the involvement of our members their Regulators and the organisations who collaborate with us.  There are many opportunities to work with UKWIR, you can get in touch by using the details at the bottom of this page.

Contractors that wish to work with us can find more information by clicking this link. 

UKWIR TEAM BOARD MEMBERS PROGRAMME LEADS MEMBERS COLLABORATORS

We are a small team based in London, working with and supported by our members. The team’s main role is developing the research programme, procuring and managing the research and disseminating the findings.

The team also arranges meetings and other events relating to UKWIR research areas and Big Questions.

Steve Kaye

Chief Executive Officer

Steve Joined UKWIR in September 2018. Before joining UKWIR Steve held key roles at Anglian Water in capital delivery, operations and as Head of Innovation.

He is a chartered mechanical engineer and has worked in the water industry for about 27 years. He has an MBA from City University in London and is a Visiting Professor at Imperial College.

Carol Ham

Office Manager

Carol is the first point of contact for UKWIR's members and customers, is well-known amongst UKWIR's members and has been with UKWIR for a number of years. She manages the website and the UKWIR Annual Programme, as well as the day-to-day tasks of the head office.

Mandy Fletton

Senior Programme Manager

Mandy joined UKWIR in January 2016. Her role is to drive UKWIR’s research programme forward as well as providing support to UKWIR's Project Managers and developing collaborative relationships with external organisations.

Mandy was educated at Hull and Anglia Ruskin Universities, is a Chartered Chemist and gained experience in the analytical, regulation, drinking water and wastewater operation areas of the industry with Anglian Water before joining UKWIR. 

Imad Ahmed

Head of Partnerships and Funding

Imad joined UKWIR in August 2021. His role is to create and implement a funding strategy that is supported by UKWIR’s members, to identify funding opportunities, and to support the development of research proposals. He is also responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, external organisations, and potential collaborators for funding.

Imad holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Nottingham, is a chartered Chemist and an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry since 2004.

Mark Jones

Strategic Programme Manager

Mark joined UKWIR in 2016, previous to joining he worked for 25 years at Severn Trent Water where he had various roles and had spent the last eight years as their Wastewater R&D Manager. Mark is a Visiting Professor for Cranfield University and chairs the National Wastewater Technical Network Group for Cranfield University.

Kanika Bahel

Research & Communications Administrator

Kanika has a background in Environmental Engineering. She coordinates and assists with the development of UKWIR’s programme of research projects, company communications and the management and distribution of research reports.

Oluseyi Onifade

Strategic Programme Manager

Olu started her career in the Water industry working for Laing O’Rourke on Thames Water’s Victorian Mains Replacement Programme before moving to South East Water. Olu spent 10 years with South East Water doing various roles of which the last 4 years were spent delivering the flagship Compulsory Metering Programme in which more than 90 percent of South East Water’s domestic customers had a water meter fitted.

Olu holds an MSc qualification in Project Management, Finance, and Risk from City University, London.

Our team of Programme Leads are experienced practitioners, drawn directly from our members.  Their involvement and guidance is key to ensuring our research programme delivers effective outcomes that address both today's and tomorrow's issues. 

Co-Programme Leads

UKWIR is a truly collaborative organisation, driven by an influential Board of Directors, each of whom are Directors or senior managers of water companies.  Our Research Programme is validated by our Board, ensuring our work is kept focused on current and future requirements.

Chairman of the Board

Board Members

All of the Water Companies in UK and Ireland are members of UKWIR.  Their staff  volunteer their time to get involved with UKWIR projects. Their experience is invaluable when helping to identify key industry challenges and in steering projects to a successful conclusion.

Associate Members

Many of our projects involve collaboration with other organisations, including Regulators, government departments, research bodies and academic institutions.  The engagement between water industry practitioners and collaborators provides a more diverse knowledge base and greater influence regarding research outcomes, funding and resources.