Meet the judges

Ceris Van de Vyver

Head of water consulting, UK - Isle Utilities

Ceris is a water industry professional with over 20 years proven scientific expertise in clean water, wastewater and an in-depth knowledge of public health and water quality. She has held senior management positions in several water companies, was an Inspector read more

Dr. Ana Soares

Senior lecturer in biological engineering - Cranfield Univeristy

Dr Ana Soares is a Senior lecturer in Biological Engineering at Cranfield University in the UK. Dr Soares research explores the underpinning science required to develop and manage bioreactors employing new biological organisms, cultures or pathways in order to optimise read more

Lila Thompson

Chief executive - British Water

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction. Lila was formerly responsible for the delivery of British Water’s international services leading scoping visits to a wide range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China and India. read more

Nicci Russell

Managing director - Waterwise

Nicci has been Managing director of Waterwise since March 2017. Prior to this, from January 2013, Nicci was a Director at Ofwat, where she led Ofwat’s work on resilience and independent regulation and its relationship with the UK and Welsh read more

Paul Hickey

Deputy director - Environment Agency

Paul Hickey is a Deputy Director at the Environment Agency with oversight of Water Resources for England. He is responsible for the protection and improvement of the natural environment. This remit includes water quantity monitoring including the national hydrometric service, read more

Steve Youell

Chair - Institute of Water

Steve has worked in the water industry for 20 years, originally joining Portsmouth Water as a Laboratory Technician, and holding a number of other roles including Water Quality Scientist and Distribution Project Manager. He joined DWI in 2014 as an read more

Tony Conway

Director - Conway Water Consulting

Tony is a former Executive Director of United Utilities. In a career of over thirty years he has led Asset Management, Operations and Engineering functions, as well as business change, transformation and regulatory programmes. As Strategic Programmes Director, with the read more

Trevor Bishop

Director - Water Resources South East (WRSE)

Trevor has been Director at WRSE since January 2019. As Organisational Development Director for WRSE Trevor’s key responsibilities include strategy/policy, engagement and business management. Trevor is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter. Prior to his current role read more