Judging Panel: Breakthrough 6

Andrew has over 25 years’ experience in the UK Water Sector, working for Yorkshire Water for over 15 years in a range of operational and strategic planning roles encompassing the full range of assets in clean and wastewater. He also was the Operations Director for Kelda Water Services, responsible for the performance of 5 PFI contracts across the UK including water, wastewater and food waste businesses.

Andrew is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management and a committed environmentalist having recently built a eco-family home in Leeds. Andrew formed Blue and Green Consulting in 2023 and provides consultancy services to senior leaders in the utilities sector in forming strategic plans for improved business performance.

David is a Chartered Physicist and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with twenty years of professional experience in sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, and in implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. His Board experience includes numerous roles in public, private and third sector Boards and committees.

As NICW Chair, David has broken new ground by welcoming a Nature Guardian onto the Board – a first for a Welsh public body. His work is underpinned by a clear belief that Nature both should shape the everyday decisions that influence Wales’ future and be welcomed into our infrastructure. He uses Futures Thinking to help NICW imagine and plan for what lies ahead. David also leads on Climate Action at Cardiff Met University, helping to deliver net zero through projects, procurement and engagement.

Fredrick Royan is the Global Practice Area Leader of the Sustainability and Circular Economy practice at Frost & Sullivan. He is the current Smart Water Network (SWAN) Council Chair and has been analysing the global water market for over 20 years.

Fredrick led the launch of the Smart Water Program in 2010 and has since focused on shaping the Global Water Research Program around digital transformation and together with his team of analysts has published authoritative reports on Smart Water Grid and related segments.

He has a Masters in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh secured as a Centenary Chevening Scholar and has also been conferred the Frost & Sullivan Fellowship.

Helen Lucocq is a chartered town planner with almost 20 years working in environmental policy. She is the co-founder of Landed Futures CIC and Policy and Advocacy Manager for Coed Cadw, where she works with land managers and policymakers to design resilient futures and advocate for change.

Named an RTPI Woman of Influence, Helen brings deep expertise in strategic planning and environmental transition. Previously, as Head of Policy for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, she led forward-thinking land strategies that culminated in the reclaiming of the Welsh identity. She also played a pivotal role in the Usk Catchment Partnership, using innovative facilitation to drive collaborative action on nutrient management and river health. Helen is dedicated to supporting innovations that connect strategic advocacy with on-the-ground impact.

James is a Chartered Associate with over 12 years of experience in the water industry, specialising in driving innovation and change within the hydraulic modelling discipline. His expertise includes hydraulic modeling and optimisation using InfoWorks ICM and Optimizer, technical leadership, quality assurance, change and innovation management, and technical presentations. He is highly experienced in leading teams, providing technical training, and mentoring. James has used his skill working for both consultancies and utilities, recently working for Southern Water as their Principal Hydraulic Modeller and Interim Innovation Manager, integrating automation, machine learning, and digital transformation to enhance efficiency and stakeholder collaboration. He has led notable hydraulic modelling projects including the, Doha Highway Drainage Design, and the Slough Flood Alleviation Scheme and Southern Water Strategic Growth Programme.

Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj is a Professor and Chair of Water Resources Management and Infrastructure at the Royal Agricultural University and is also a Technical Director in Water, Wastewater and Environmental Engineering at the Water Research Centre Ltd (WRc Group). His expertise focuses on innovative solutions for sustainable water management, environmental engineering, and the WEF nexus. Prof. Tota-Maharaj’s research interests cover a range of critical topics, including sustainable water management, water infrastructure, water quality, and climate change adaptation, all of which contribute to advancing sustainable practices. He advocates for nature-based solutions (NbS) and circular economy approaches to water, wastewater and stormwater challenges.

Liz Sharp is a Professor of Water and Planning in the School of Geography and Planning at the University of Sheffield and co-Director of Sheffield Water Centre. Her research focuses on how the public are involved in water policies and practices. Working co-productively between UK water companies, local authorities and communities, she has examined water efficiency promotion and the development of nature-based solutions for flood resilience. Her current research is focused on how community-based activity can support flood adaptation and pollution prevention.

Although her methods are focused on interpretive social science, Liz undertakes research across disciplines, and has collaborated with colleagues from backgrounds as diverse as Chemical Engineering and History. Outside of work, she has a passion for walking in the hills and taking photographs of trees.

Michelle is an experienced water-sector professional and engineer with over 30 years’ experience in economic regulation, strategic planning and infrastructure governance. She brings a distinctive blend of operational insight, public-value focus, and cross-sector collaboration.

As Founder and Director of Blue Thread Advisory, Michelle supports organisations navigating complex regulatory and policy environments, helping them embed ethical governance, strengthen stakeholder trust, and develop purposeful leadership. She is passionate about resilience, adaptation, and enabling the water sector to respond confidently to climate challenges.

Michelle has held senior roles across the UK water sector, including Chief Operating Officer at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. She has served on the Audit and Risk Committee of the Scottish Land Commission and chaired the advisory group for A Freshwater Future. A strong advocate for ethical leadership, she is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s AMP and holds the FT NED Diploma.

Suresh has a 20-year track-record in senior management consultancy and advisory roles and board advisory across the water and wider utilities sector. Suresh has worked at several major consultancies including at Accenture, as Head of Water at Capita, and Water Sector Lead, Director for Business Advisory at Arcadis. Suresh has strong links across the water sector and currently is a Core Judge on Ofwat’s Innovation Fund and Non-Executive Director at British Water. Suresh has a personal interest in thought leadership, with articles focused on how we can use AI and innovation to solve the sector’s biggest challenges. Suresh is passionate about fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the utilities sector, through industry collaboration and networks.