UKWIR Seeks Diverse Leadership To Guide Research With Impact

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) is undertaking a major recruitment drive for new Independent Non-Executive Directors (INEDs) to join its Board.

The organisation is actively seeking a dynamic mix of business and research experience, inviting applications from within the water industry and, critically, from senior leaders in other sectors, whose insight will be vital in tackling the complex, long-term challenges facing water, the environment and infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.

UKWIR believes world-class solutions come from frontier research and bold, broad thinking, bringing together the best ideas from within the water sector and beyond. These roles will help UKWIR enhance trust and transparency and deliver a thriving built and natural environment.

Cross-sector expertise
The UK water industry is at a pivotal moment, grappling with climate change, sustainable resource management, regulatory reform, and customer expectations. Evidence and data are critical for guiding the water sector through a period of significant challenge and change.

“UKWIR is evolving to play a key role in sector reform and is uniquely positioned to enable exceptional collaboration across the sector. We are proactively seeking fresh, challenging perspectives from both inside and outside our sector to stimulate the radical innovation the water industry requires,” said Mike Rose, chief executive of UKWIR.

“We are seeking Non-Executive Directors with deep expertise in data and digital, complex infrastructure delivery, science, communications and societal engagement, and strategic environmental policy. These new Board members will help shape our ‘Big Questions’ research agenda and support the delivery of customer and public value.”

Role and requirements
UKWIR is looking for individuals who bring diversity of thought to strategic development. The successful candidates will work alongside the executive team and existing Board members to provide positive constructive scrutiny to strengthen delivery, strategic direction, and oversight of UKWIR’s research.

The Board is committed to ensuring its composition reflects the diversity of the customers and communities the water industry serves.

Key areas of expertise sought include:

• Digital and technology: Experience leading large-scale digital transformation, data and analytics, or responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in complex, regulated environments such as water, telecoms, energy, finance.
• Regulation and governance: Deep expertise in high-profile regulated sectors, with experience strengthening governance, assurance, risk management and accountability frameworks.
• Communications and partnerships: Proven ability to build trusted partnerships across industry, regulators, government, academia and communities; and communicate complex evidence clearly to support better decisions and public confidence.
• Environmental and social impact: Delivering significant environmental and social outcomes, including sustainability, biodiversity and public health, supported by robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reporting.
• Sound science and evidence: A strong commitment to scientific rigour including clear methods, robust study design, transparent assumptions, and high-quality data. Ability to challenge constructively and ensure UKWIR’s work is independent, credible, and translated into practical tools and decisions that build trust.

Commitment to the future
UKWIR plays a crucial role in enabling the UK water industry to deliver on its commitment to customers and the environment by identifying and funding research into the industry's biggest challenges. These new appointments underscore UKWIR's strategic focus on integrating external best practice to achieve a resilient, affordable, and sustainable water future.