WRSE appoints new directors to drive forward regional resource plan

Water Resources in the South East (WRSE) has appointed two new senior directors to lead its work to deliver a regional water resources plan.

Resilience, infrastructure and environment specialist Trevor Bishop, formerly of Ofwat and the Environment Agency, is now WRSE’s organisational development director. He will focus on providing strategic direction for the group and leading on engagement with government, regulators and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Southern Water’s water strategy manager Meyrick Gough has been seconded to the position of technical planning director at WRSE, to lead the work to scope the components of the regional plan and how it will be delivered. This includes advancing the pioneering modelling and technical work associated with the development of a regional water grid, enhanced transfers, environmental forecasts and increasing resilience. Gough will also be responsible for the development of a regional drought plan to enhance the operational response to drought events.

Simon Cocks, regional chair of WRSE said: “These appointments are a crucial next step on our journey to deliver more resilient water supplies and protect the environment in the South East by strengthening the role of regional planning. Meyrick and Trevor have been involved in WRSE for a number of years and have both played a vital role in the advancements the group has made to how regional water resources are planned and delivered, since its inception 20 years ago.

“I’m delighted that they are going to be leading the group to achieve its bold and complex ambition that, if achieved, will transform our way of working and how we collaborate and co-ordinate at a regional, and potentially, national level.”