Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Paul Horton.
CEO.
Future Water Association.
Delivering a new vision for water – setting out the long-term strategic direction for faster and cheaper infrastructure development
09:40 to
10:05
- How will proposed reforms create a more effective framework for infrastructure delivery?
- The latest updates on the Clean Water Bill and the Transition Plan – how will these be implemented?
- The sector’s key priorities for 2027 and beyond
Speaker:
Phineas Hodson.
Growth, Infrastructure and Planning – Floods and Water Directorate.
Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Panel discussion: Implementing regional water system planning: how can integrating water supply and environment frameworks deliver better outcomes?
10:05 to
10:55
- Breaking out of fragmented planning silos – what are the benefits and opportunities of a more integrated system?
- Balancing national objectives with local priorities - how should the new regional water planning bodies operate?
- Aligning water infrastructure with wider spatial development – how can the sector strengthen coordination with energy, transport and housing plans?
- Embedding water resources management within system planning to ensure long-term supply and improve resilience
Speakers:
Meyrick Gough.
Managing Director.
Water Resources South East.
Jen Ashwell.
Director.
Burges Salmon.
David Hodcroft.
Head of Strategic Infrastructure.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Morning refreshments and networking
10:55 to
11:25
Securing consent for new water infrastructure – practical guidance and the latest insights on planning policy changes
11:25 to
11:50
- Selecting the most appropriate planning route for your development – what assets are considered nationally significant infrastructure projects?
- What are the changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 for major water projects?
- The implications of removing statutory consultation requirements for water infrastructure
Speaker:
Paula McGeady.
Partner.
Burges Salmon.
Planning and developing the next generation of large-scale reservoirs in the UK
11:50 to
12:15
- Timelines and development priorities – how are projects progressing and what are the key milestones ahead?
- Best approaches to advancing reservoirs through the DCO regime – lessons and experience to date
- What unexpected challenges have emerged and how can these be addressed?
Speaker:
Peta Donkin.
DCO Development Director.
Anglian Water.
Improving environmental outcomes when upgrading and delivering water assets
12:15 to
12:40
- Integrating environment benefits early in the planning process
- Implementing biodiversity net gain and enhancing sustainability for water infrastructure
- Using natural-based solutions to reduce carbon footprints and save development costs
Networking Lunch
12:40 to
13:40
Delivering water infrastructure procurement – unlocking new opportunities and engaging the supply chain
13:40 to
14:05
- Key stages of the procurement process and what these mean for suppliers
- Insight on commercial models employed to bring forward major schemes
- Effectively communicating project pipeline and the opportunities for early contractor involvement
Panel discussion: Accelerating AMP8 investment – where are we now and what are the next steps to ensure faster progress?
14:05 to
14:50
- How are water companies managing AMP8 and what does the current picture look like?
- What lessons can we take from this cycle so far and how can these be applied quickly?
- What needs to change to drive faster investment across the remainder of the programme?
- Strengthening supply chain capabilities to meet AMP8 targets
Speakers:
Andy Lingham.
Managing Director Water.
Kier Group.
Dan Walker-Nolan.
Policy Director.
Water UK.
Ben Ward.
Asset Planning Director.
South West Water.
Afternoon refreshments and networking
14:50 to
15:20
Maximising infrastructure performance and value through effective asset management
15:20 to
15:45
- Establishing a framework to evaluate asset conditions and oversee the lifecycle of water infrastructure
- Best approaches for predictive asset management – what are the latest digital tools?
- Improving asset health and resilience to enhance water efficiency
Leveraging data to build smarter and more resilient networks – turning information into better decision-making
15:45 to
16:10
- Key innovations and techniques for collecting real-time information
- The role of data – how it can be used across asset management, sustainability, and demand forecasting
- Practical strategies for embedding insights into operational and investment planning
Speaker:
Dr Angela MacOscar.
Head of Innovation.
Northumbrian Water.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:10 to
16:20
Speaker:
Paul Horton.
CEO.
Future Water Association.
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:20 to
17:20