- Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water’s Chief Executive Peter Simpson were among the winners at the Institute of Water’s President’s Awards Dinner
- Lifting the prize was Peter Simpson’s last official act for Anglian Water before stepping down as the Institute of Water’s President
The UK water sector gathered en masse at Manchester Cathedral on Wednesday 14 June 2017 for the Institute of Water’s President’s Dinner and Awards to recognise industry excellence.
Policy makers, regulators, providers and supply chain companies were on hand at the black tie event which saw Anglian Water’s Chief Executive Peter Simpson and Severn Trent Water named among the award winners.
In lifting the Water Industry Skills Champion Award, Peter Simpson was recognised as an inspirational skills champion who has made a tangible difference in supporting skills and people development. His victory also recognised his work in promoting a resilient, inclusive and sustainable workforce that encourages better long-term outcomes for Anglian Water, the sector and wider society.
Peter Simpson said: “It is a great honour and privilege to receive this award. It is a reflection of the work by a much wider team on developing the skills and capability of our workforce.”
Severn Trent Water topped a shortlist that included United Utilities, Scottish Water and Northumbrian Water to be named as Water Industry Skills Employer of the Year. The supplier was recognised for visibly attracting, developing and retaining talent and being an employer of choice.
Matthew Higgs, New Talent Manager from Severn Trent, said: “We’re really proud to be recognised for the work we’ve done to nurture and grow capability across Severn Trent at all levels, we’re passionate about delivering the best for our customers and creating rewarding careers for our employees.”
Both awards were jointly sponsored and supported by Energy & Utility Skills and the accreditation body CABWI. They were presented by two members of the Energy & Utility Skills’ water management team: Client Manager Denise McGlynn and Solutions Manager Lucy Ritchie. Both, along with Energy & Utility Skills’ Chief Executive Nick Ellins, are ‘blue card’ holders, having completed their National Water Hygiene Scheme training.*
The Awards also saw the first public announcement of the strategic partnership between the Institute of Water and Energy & Utility Skills. They will work proactively together to attract talent, promote professional excellence, build pride in the industry and ensure a sustainable and resilient workforce.
The collaboration puts into action key recommendations from the first-ever Workforce Renewal and Skills Strategy, published in February. The Skills Strategy, for the water, gas, power and waste management industries, made clear the case for acting together now, to ensure a safe, competent and sustainable workforce.
Mr Ellins, who is a former two-time President of the Institute of Water, added: “It was a pleasure for Energy & Utility Skills to play a part alongside CABWI in recognising Severn Trent Water and Peter Simpson, and also joining with other stakeholders to recognise excellence across the water sector.
“The Awards ceremony was the ideal place to announce our partnership with the Institute of Water, as all stakeholders present are keen to build sector resilience in the workforce, now and in the future. Improving our sector attraction and professional proficiency is incumbent on us all in water – policy makers, regulators, the regulated, delivery partners and the supply chain.
“The Institute of Water were one of the first to answer the call for active collaboration and I am delighted to have their guidance and expertise as the only professional body solely dedicated to the careers of water professionals. This new partnership will actively promote water careers and help to make excellence the standard. We extend a warm welcome to other key water industry bodies to partner with us.”