We’re Future Water Association
A not-for-profit trade association uniting and driving change for the UK water sector.
We’re leading the way
member companies
years of innovation
working groups
Our mission and vision
Mission
Unite and represent the UK water sector, create actionable change, and improve infrastructure for the future.
Vision
A sustainable, innovative, and collaborative UK water sector where technology and expertise are shared to benefit the industry and future generations.
Uniting the industry
We’re a community – a network of professionals connecting across the whole water supply chain.
Working groups
Uniting diverse professionals from across the entire water supply chain to look at sector-wide issues and collaborate on innovative solutions.
Water Dragons
A competition giving innovators the chance to pitch products or services to investors, water company professionals, and supply chain leaders.
Events
Webinars, talks, and gatherings to share knowledge, expertise, and develop your organisation.
Networking
Creating opportunities for organisations to collaborate, network with their peers, and meet more of the right people.
Our team
Meet the experts driving water sector innovation.
Paul Horton
More than 25 years’ experience with NGOs, charities and trade organisations, across the water and environment sector, including TV, radio and policy work.
Previously Director of Membership & Development at CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management); Director, International at British Water; policy adviser at the CBI (Confederation of British Industry).
Other roles have included steering group member for the Government Chief Scientist funded Global Water Security report; Council member, Society for the Environment; Member of Engineering Council International Advisory Panel; Member, UK Water Sector Advisory Group; Management Committee and Council member, European Water Association (EWA); Council member, European Network of Environmental Professionals and EWA representative on Climate & Water Strategic Steering Group for the Water Framework Directive; CIWEM representative to the UNFCCC meetings.
Paul Horton
Mark Smith
Mark is the Managing Director of WRc based in Swindon. WRc operates across different sectors including Water, Environment, Gas and Resource Management and has as an extensive UK and international client base. WRc is also a founding member of UK Water Partnership (UKWP).
Mark is the Chair of Future Water (FW), which operates as an influencing organisation for the water sector supply chain, and also sits on three other company boards.
Mark has led and managed technical water and wastewater projects in over 20 different countries worldwide on four different continents, including operations in Germany, Malaysia, USA and Colombia.
Mark Smith
Richard Laikin
A former water sector leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Richard’s earlier career also included periods at IBM and Ernst & Young (EY).
He was a Trustee of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) for 5 years and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of the TWENTY65 multi-university water research consortium.
Richard Laikin
Alastair Moseley
Alastair is a Director of Water and Environmental Consultancy, H2O WEM Ltd which provides strategic technical and business development support to organisations operating in the water and environmental sectors. He is Chair of the Future Water Innovation Hub where he is leading the development of training and knowledge sharing initiatives to stimulate innovation creation and collaboration in the water industry supply chain. He also champions Future Water’s Skills for the Future and Young Water Dragons programmes which seek to address the looming skills shortage in the water sector.
Alastair is a chartered civil engineer, chartered environmentalist and chartered water and environmental manager and is Honorary Vice President of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institution for Water and Environmental Management. He is a leading member of the Steering Group for the Defra led Code for Practice for Property Flood Resilience due to be published in 2018. He is a frequent commentator in the National and Trade Press on issues relating to catchment management including flood risk mitigation, water supply management, sewerage and surface water management, integrated water management, water sensitive urban design and Sustainable Drainage Systems.
Alastair Moseley
Dr David Smoker
Dr. David Smoker has worked in the supply chain side of the water industry for more than 35 years – since before privatisation – with senior positions at Palintest, Memcor, US Filter, Johnson Pipes and Saint-Gobain PAM. His day job now is Business Development Director at ACO Technologies where he champions developments in surface water management and environmental issues. Much time is also spent on developing standards, guidelines and codes of practice, mainly associated with surface water management.
A previous chair of Future Water Association (when it was SBWWI), David has also links with other supply chain organisations and chaired the Institution of Civil Engineers SuDS Task Group. He has a BSc Hons in Chemistry, an MSc in Polymer technology and a PhD in Polymer Rheology. In 2004 he gained an MBA, and was awarded lifetime membership of the International Honors Society, Beta Gamma Sigma.
Amongst other things, David is currently working on a ‘systems thinking’ approach to Intelligent Water Management.
Dr David Smoker
Dr Emma Wilcox
Emma has successfully overseen growth in the number of registered environmental professionals whilst also ensuring the reputation of Chartered Environmentalists and Registered Environmental Technicians has been enhanced and maintained.
Emma’s strong academic and research background is supported by an in-depth knowledge of both public and private sector landscapes along with commercial experience. During her career to date Emma has successfully demonstrated the ability to combine creative and analytical thinking and lead multi-disciplinary projects, business activity and navigate complex challenges.
Emma is a Fellow of IOM3 (FIMMM), a Chartered Manager (CMgr) and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) as well as a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business Programme.
Dr Emma Wilcox
Member voices
Our members are driving the conversation in the water sector – hear their insights in their own words
Radius Subterra have now been a member of FWA for 2 years and found this is an organisation that are always willing to help and promote the best practices for the water industry. It is very much an association that benefits an individual or company based on how much you put in the more you get out
If you’re in the water industry, the Future Water Association is an incredible community to join. With informative sessions and plenty of networking opportunities, it’s a space for everyone. From the moment you engage, you feel welcomed and part of something much bigger. The team truly listens and works hard to stay aligned with the needs of both the industry and its people. They also work tirelessly with their members to make the industry a better place.
FWA has extensive experience within the water sector and is a valuable asset to any company wanting to engage with the this industry sector.
Future Water Association brings suppliers from the water industry together and collectively we can be heard. It has certainly opened doors for us. We have been members for about a year and attend as many meetings and events as we can. It is definitely the case that the more you put into your membership, the more you benefit.
FWA offers valuable industry insights, networking, and practical guidance on innovations and regulations. Its commitment to advancing the water sector keeps members informed and empowered, and I've personally enjoyed getting to know other members.
It was well organised and presented. Very useful and interesting day.
Help us turn the tides
Join over a hundred water sector companies helping us change the water sector for the better.