Becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Water

In the water industry, we often measure progress in decades—the lifespan of an asset, the maturity of a regulation, the slow build of public trust. Being awarded a Fellow of the Institute of Water (FIWater) has prompted me to reflect on my own journey: 30 years dedicated to a sector that has become far more than just a career. To me, it is a passion.

Becoming a Fellow is not a trophy for past performance. It is a reflection of a life spent within a professional family, a community bound by a shared commitment to public health, environmental integrity, and the largely invisible work that keeps society running. Work that is often only noticed when something goes wrong.

A Professional Home

I entered the industry as a novice, aware of its importance but still learning its weight of responsibility. The Institute of Water quickly became my compass. Over three decades, it has evolved from a source of guidance into a place of belonging.

What makes this community distinctive isn’t only its technical standards; it’s its culture. A culture where peers challenge one another constructively, share knowledge without ego, and offer support through regulatory change, organisational upheaval, and the quiet pressures that come with safeguarding something so fundamental.

Along the way, I have gained far more than expertise. I have gained lifelong friends who share a singular, vital purpose.

The Responsibility of Competence

In water, “good enough” doesn’t exist. That reality becomes clear early in a career, and it stays with you.

My pursuit of Chartered Scientist (CSci) and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status was never about collecting post-nominals. It was about accountability.

CSci represents the technical rigour and evidence-based discipline required to protect the public.

CEnv represents the ethical stewardship required to protect our planet.

Achieving Fellowship feels like the natural convergence of these two paths. It affirms a long-term commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a moral obligation to those who rely on the water we provide and the environments we impact.

From Practice to Legacy

With three decades of experience comes a shift in perspective. The focus moves from personal progression to enabling the growth of others.

Establishing CV Water Consultancy was a deliberate response to that shift. It was driven by a recognition that many capable people enter the sector without the clarity or confidence they need, not because the work is beyond them, but because the complex system is rarely explained.

Whether leading the Introduction to the UK Water Industry course on behalf of the Institute of Water and endorsed by CABWI or delivering EUSR-certified Products in Drinking Water (Regulation 31) training, the aim is consistent: to equip the next generation with understanding, confidence, and professional pride.

Mentorship is never one-directional. I continue to be challenged and inspired by the fresh perspectives of those I support, just as much as they benefit from my experience.

Service as Leadership

My time serving in responsible roles, as Chair and as an Area Forum Representative of the Institute of Water Welsh Area committee, has been a masterclass in collaborative leadership. It reinforced a simple truth: some of the most impactful work in our industry is voluntary.

Leadership here isn’t about status or visibility. It is about steady contribution, a safe learning environment and ensuring a professional institution remains inclusive, relevant, and resilient. This quiet service is what sustains trust—within our profession and beyond it.

The Road Ahead

Becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Water is not a finish line; it is a milestone that carries renewed responsibility.

The challenges facing the water industry continue to intensify, from climate resilience to regulatory complexity and rising public expectations. Meeting them will require strong professional communities, ethical leadership, and a continued commitment to shared learning.

If the past 30 years have taught me anything, it is that progress in water is never individual. It is collective, continuous, and grounded in service.

I am proud to be part of the Institute of Water family, grateful for the opportunities it has given me, and honoured to now serve it as a Fellow.