Ofwat announces judging panel for £2m Innovation in Water challenge

Ofwat and Nesta Challenges are today (16 February) revealing the judging panel for the inaugural £2 million Innovation in Water Challenge, which aims to help tackle the biggest challenges facing the water industry.

Boasting a number of experts and leaders within the industry and other related sectors, the independent eight-person strong judging panel are:

• Nicole Ballantyne – Knowledge Transfer Manager (Manufacturing), Knowledge Transfer Network
• Myrtle Dawes – Solution Centre Director, OGTC
• Chris Newsome – Director, UK Water Partnership
• Dragan Savic – CEO, KWR Water Research Institute
• Adam Scorer – Chief Executive, National Energy Action
• Rachel Skinner – Executive Director (Transport), WSP Global, and President, Institution of Civil Engineers (Chair)
• Lila Thompson – Chief Executive, British Water
• Rhodri Williams – Wales Chair, Consumer Council for Water

The judges’ breadth of expertise  will bring insights from both water and other sectors, as well as a deep understanding of innovation itself and customer concerns.

Led by Ofwat, in partnership with Nesta Challenges, Arup and Isle Utilities, the Challenge is looking for collaborative and innovative initiatives that will meet the evolving needs of customers, society and the environment in the years to come.

The challenges it seeks to address range from achieving net-zero, to protecting natural ecosystems from leakages or pollution and delivering better value for money for water customers in England and Wales.

The inaugural Challenge is the first of two launching this year as part of Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund. It aims to support innovative initiatives that the water sector would otherwise be unable to invest in or explore - with each winning entrant receiving between £50,000 and £250,000.

It is open to water companies and NAVs (new appointments and variations) from England and Wales together with partner organisations (which may be outside of the water sector).

John Russell, senior director at Ofwat said: “We have a fantastic panel of judges working together with us on this Challenge - drawing expertise from a number of sectors and disciplines that, together, will bring invaluable insight to the judging and assessing process. We believe partnerships and collaboration are at the heart of meeting the challenges facing the water industry - and we are looking forward to receiving new and exciting ideas that will help change the sector for years to come.”

Chris Gorst, director of challenges at Nesta Challenges said: “We’re excited about the Innovation in Water Challenge. It has the potential to change the industry and bring about long-term benefits for customers, society and the environment. We anticipate receiving a high calibre of entries that will make the task of judging them exciting but challenging. However, we’re confident that we have the right insights and expertise from across the industry and beyond within our judging panel to help us assess the entries.”

Rachel Skinner, executive director (transport) at WSP Global, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and chair of the judging panel, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Innovation in Water Challenge judging panel and look forward to seeing some exceptional case studies that are helping society to address the urgent climate challenge.”

To find out more and apply for the IWC visit waterinnovation.challenges.org. The deadline for entries is 12 noon on 26 February 2021, with the winners due to be announced in March.

Representatives from Ofwat and Nesta will be speaking at WWT's Water Industry Innovation Conference on 3 and 4 March. Click here to register for the event.