UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) has appointed Professor Anusha Shah as its new chair, the first independent, non-member chair of the organisation. The appointment of the UKWIR chair comes alongside a restructuring of the body’s governance, including a new board of directors drawn from five water companies and the first of two independent non-executive directors.
UKWIR is a not-for-profit company that manages a collaborative research programme for the UK and Irish water industries. Its stated aim is to provide the evidence base for the sector to make decisions on behalf of customers, the environment and society.
Background of the new UKWIR chair
Shah is the founder and chief executive of Plan for Earth, which provides strategic advice on water management, climate resilience, sustainability and nature-positive infrastructure to private, public and NGO clients. She served as the 159th president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), where, according to UKWIR, she championed practical action to address the climate and nature emergency.
Her work has included infrastructure and environmental programmes such as Thames Estuary 2100 and HS2, as well as international conservation projects including the restoration of Dal Lake in Kashmir. Her expertise spans climate resilience, flood risk management, water management, sustainability, transport and nature regeneration.
Her previous board roles include the Met Office, ICE’s Thomas Telford Board and chair of the Thames Estuary Partnership board. She is a trustee of Green Alliance and sits on the CyanLines Partnership Board.
Shah holds three honorary doctorates in engineering for services to climate change and sustainable development, and an honorary professorship at Amity University, India. She has also held an honorary professorship at the University of Wolverhampton and visiting professorships at King’s College London and the University of Edinburgh. H2O Global News has previously spoken to Shah about the need for holistic water management.
Rethinking systems across the water sector
“I am excited to take on the role of chair as UKWIR occupies a unique position; bringing together the collective expertise of the water sector to tackle challenges that no organisation could solve alone. Through independent, collaborative research, UKWIR can challenge established thinking, accelerate innovation, and provide the evidence needed to turn ambitious ideas into practical solutions”, Shah said.
“There has been an extraordinary convergence of public expectation, regulatory reform, investment and technological innovation in the sector. This creates a unique opportunity, not to simply improve the existing systems, but to fundamentally rethink them,” she added.
“What excites me is the possibility of looking at these challenges differently, recognising that they are intricately connected, and that the solutions can be too. Water and nature are not just assets to protect or problems to manage, they are critical infrastructure and powerful enablers of investible growth connecting the future of our economy, environment and public health.”
“This is a moment to be both bold enough to challenge the conventional thinking, but humble enough to recognise that no single organisation or sector has all the answers.”
Independent leadership reflects wider change
UKWIR chief executive Mike Rose said: “We are thrilled to have Anusha on board. Her leadership and holistic perspective are precisely what UKWIR needs as we tackle the sector’s most complex, multi-faceted challenges. Her appointment as the first independent [non member] to Chair our organisation is a direct reflection of the broader transformation we are undergoing.”
Rose also thanked Shah’s predecessor, Richard Warneford, who stepped down as chair in October after seven years in the role. H2O Global News has previously reported on how Warneford led the search for a successor to former chief executive Steve Kaye.
New board and committee structure
UKWIR said it has completed a comprehensive restructuring of its governance model, establishing a direct reporting line from operational teams to three newly formed strategic committees and the board of directors. According to the organisation, the streamlined model draws on a select group of water sector representatives to guide strategy and oversee governance.
The new board members are:
- Michelle Atkinson – United Utilities
- Robin Price – Anglian Water
- Bob Taylor – Portsmouth Water
- Matt Wheeldon – Wessex Water
- Nisarg Hirani – Scottish Water
UKWIR has also appointed Emma Clancy as the first of two independent non-executive directors. Clancy was chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) between 2020 and 2023, and has board-level experience in governance, strategic leadership and organisational transformation across regulated, commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the new chair of UKWIR?
Professor Anusha Shah has been appointed chair of UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR). She is the first independent, non-member chair of the organisation.
Who did Anusha Shah replace as UKWIR chair?
She succeeds Richard Warneford, who stepped down as chair in October after seven years in the role.
What is Anusha Shah’s background?
Shah is the founder and chief executive of Plan for Earth and was the 159th president of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Her work has included Thames Estuary 2100, HS2 and the restoration of Dal Lake in Kashmir.
Who sits on UKWIR’s new board?
The new board members are Michelle Atkinson of United Utilities, Robin Price of Anglian Water, Bob Taylor of Portsmouth Water, Matt Wheeldon of Wessex Water and Nisarg Hirani of Scottish Water.
How has UKWIR changed its governance?
UKWIR has restructured its governance so that operational teams report directly to three newly formed strategic committees and the board of directors. It has also appointed Emma Clancy as the first of two independent non-executive directors.
