Climate change is predicted to drive changes in the distribution of water across the UK, and combined with our increased usage of water, is projected to lead to increased water scarcity in England by the end of the century. This will have repercussions on the supply and demand of water across the country and will require careful management to prevent negative impacts on people and the environment. 

Water trading allows for water companies to source water from other water companies operating in different regions as well as third-party suppliers. It can support improved resilience of water supply and provide environmental benefits by reducing unsustainable abstraction in areas of water scarcity. 

In this panel event we will hear from a number of water professionals working across sectors for their views on water trading, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and how it can best be managed. 

The Foundation for Water Research (FWR) is an independent community of professionals from across the water sector and related scientific specialisms. The community comes together for deliberative discussion to support the development of interdisciplinary solutions to water challenges. Sign up to their free mailing list here. 

Our speakers

Simon Harrow is Interim Director of Water Supply in Ofwat working in the RAPID & Environmental Planning function. He is a technical and regulatory specialist with 20 years' experience in water and asset management. Working at Ofwat and RAPID in various roles over the last nine years, his current role covers water supply planning, investment and delivery, spanning a range of company activities from reservoir safety to leakage to drought plans.  Previously as Head of Water Enhancement he managed a multi-disciplinary team working on the assessment of water companies' business plans for the five-yearly Price Review 2024 (PR24) which set the costs and deliverables expected of companies. He started his career spending six years hydrological modelling for the Canal & River Trust, followed by five years in Severn Trent Water's water resources and asset strategy team.

Daniel Johns is Managing Director at Water Resources East, the independent, non-for-profit, membership organisation tasked by government to create a regional water resources plan for all sectors and the environment in Eastern England. He was previously a senior civil servant at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and spent four years at the Climate Change Committee leading their work on adaptation. He is also a director of the Aldersgate Group and Kirk Hill Wind Farm Coop.

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