Nesta, Arup and Isle to run Ofwat innovation fund

Ofwat has appointed Nesta, supported by Arup and Isle Utilities, as partners for its £200m innovation competitions following a competitive tender.

Nesta already runs a portfolio of over 40 competitions across sectors, including in regulated industries and environmental protection. Arup and Isle will already be known to the sector and bring industry specific expertise.

The companies will work on final design, implementation, administration and monitoring of both the Innovation in Water challenge, kicking of in January, and the main competition which is scheduled to start in Spring. In the coming weeks, Ofwat will work with the firms to finalise details including on timetables, rules, the application process and the assessment process for bids.