Rising Stars We are pleased to introduce our Rising Stars for 2013: Zoe Cranmer,
Richard Jones,
Ben Tam,
Project Manager, Yorkshire Water
Graduate Trainee, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW)
Operational Development Scientist, Anglian Water
Zoe joined Yorkshire Water on the graduate scheme in September 2008 with the preconception that the Water Industry was purely focused on treating water and sewage and ensuring they are performing well as a company. She found this not to be the case and found community engagement is key for Yorkshire Water to understand the needs of their customers and ensure they are always listened to.
Paul Davidson,
Richard applied for the Graduate Scheme in the final year of his BSc in Chemistry & Earth Sciences at Durham University and started on the programme in October 2011. Richard feels, at a time when some of our big institutions, such as the banking sector and the BBC, are having their reputations called into question, the Water Industry can be proud that it continues to uphold its values: providing an essential service to customers with their interests at heart.
Strategic Team Manager for Customer Service Delivery Support and Delivery, Scottish Water
Ben Redwood,
Paul joined Scottish Water in August 2007 on their first Asset Management Graduate Scheme. After only five years and at the age of 28 Paul had secured a position as Team Manager. Paul first thought the Water Industry was only suited to Engineers with technical backgrounds but quickly realised it is extremely diverse and there are numerous career paths for different specialisms.
Wastewater Treatment Planning Engineer, DCWW
Sharna Richings, Project Manager, Veolia Water Sharna joined Veolia on their Technical Graduate Scheme after which she was seconded to Scottish Water Solutions as Process Commissioning Support Coordinator. Her posting ended last month and Sharna is now managing a project for Veolia Water at Thames Water. Like Paul (Davidson), Sharna thought that you had to be an engineer to work for a water company. She was pleased to discover that certainly is not the case (Sharna has a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Water Management) and people have a diverse range of backgrounds and skills, all of which are equally important.
Ben joined the Asset Strategy team within DCWW following a two-year secondment to Thames Water for PR09 and a role as a Contracts Manager for a Sub-Contractor. Ben is aware we are working in an intricate, challenging and technically demanding environment which, (“rightly so”, according to Ben) is strictly regulated for the benefit of our customers and our environment but believes that by working together, utilising knowledge and experience from our supply chain and adapting to change through innovation, we can meet future challenges head on and overcome them together.
Roxanna Snooke, Business Analyst, South West Water Roxanna joined South West Water in 2010 after completing an MSc in Climate Change and Risk Management. She expected the water industry to be heavily male dominated and although this is probably still the case in some business areas, she has discovered her preconception was wrong as there are many women in other areas and (Roxanna feels) it is an industry accessible by all.
Pictured right, clockwise from front left are: Marcus Rink, Ben Tam, Chris Vinson, Sharna Richings, Richard Jones, Roger Harrington, Roxanna Snooke, Paul Davidson, Ben Redwood and Zoe Cranmer.
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Ben joined the Anglian Water Graduate Programme in 2009 which gave him the opportunity to use his scientific training and gain experience in the business environment. Ben is currently leading optimisation of treatment processes in Anglian Water, taking into account new technologies, current scientific research, risks and potential effects on water quality and finally organisational capacity and barriers to change. Since joining the water industry Ben has come to appreciate the diversity of skills within the industry that all play a part to ensure that customers have clean drinking water in their homes.
Chris Vinson, Stakeholder Planning Manager, Thames Water Chris joined Thames Water’s Graduate Programme in 2006 having completed a Master’s Degree in Catchment Management. Since then he has held roles in operations, regulation and now external affairs. Chris believes we need to keep working hard to attract talented young people into the sector. The water industry has an ageing workforce; recruiting and retaining good people is critical to its sustainability.
Our new crop of Rising Stars attended the Utility Industry Achievement Awards Dinner in London in December, accompanied by Marcus Rink, Deputy Chief Inspector (Operations), DWI.DWI and Roger Harrington, Managing Director, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water.