UKWIR seeks fresh board perspectives to support water reform

(by Karma Loveday)

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) is seeking new independent non-executive directors to join its board.

The organisation is inviting applications from within the water industry and from senior leaders in other sectors.

The key areas of expertise sought include:  

• Digital and technology: experience leading large-scale digital transformation, data and analytics, or responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in complex, regulated environments such as water, telecoms, energy, and finance. 

• Regulation and governance: deep expertise in high-profile regulated sectors, with experience strengthening governance, assurance, risk management and accountability frameworks. 

• Communications and partnerships: proven ability to build trusted partnerships across industry, regulators, government, academia and communities; and communicate complex evidence clearly to support better decisions and public confidence. 

• Environmental and social impact: delivering significant environmental and social outcomes, including sustainability, biodiversity and public health, supported by robust environmental, social and governance performance and reporting. 

• Sound science and evidence: A strong commitment to scientific rigour including clear methods, robust study design, transparent assumptions, and high-quality data. Ability to challenge constructively and ensure UKWIR’s work is independent, credible, and translated into practical tools and decisions that build trust. 

Mike Rose, chief executive, said: “UKWIR is evolving to play a key role in sector reform and is uniquely positioned to enable exceptional collaboration across the sector. We are proactively seeking fresh, challenging perspectives from both inside and outside our sector to stimulate the radical innovation the water industry requires.

“We are seeking non-executive directors with deep expertise in data and digital, complex infrastructure delivery, science, communications and societal engagement, and strategic environmental policy. These new board members will help shape our ‘Big Questions’ research agenda and support the delivery of customer and public value.”