WIF Team Challenge 2025 | Judging & Awards Event

WIF Team Challenge 2025 | Judging & Awards Event

We are very pleased to announce our keynote speaker and judging panel for the 7th WIF Team Challenge awards event on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at WSP in Birmingham.

We’re bringing together industry leaders, experts, and supporters to watch the eleven teams of young water professionals pitch their ideas around the topic, “What are the emerging trends that will impact the water-energy nexus by 2030?” to the audience and judging panel.

Keynote speaker

Carolyn Cadman, Director of Net Zero & Natural Resources, South West Water Carolyn leads on the company’s biodiversity strategy and nature recovery programme, working with natural processes and nature-based solutions in tackling water management challenges whilst lowering carbon emissions. 

Judging Panel 

• Louise Elliott, Strategy & Business Growth Director, WSP
• Margaret Read, Director, Water Industry Forum
• Professor Jan Hofman, Co-Director, WIRC, University of Bath 
• Kate Kendall, Director, Ofwat
• Richard Thompson, Deputy Director, Water Resources, Environment Agency
• Gabrielle Mandell, Chief Executive, Institute of Water

Toby Harding, Client Director at WSP commented, "WSP are delighted to host the challenge for a third year and play our part in supporting the next generation of water professionals. The challenge offers some of our industry's brightest people the chance to learn not just about some key issues, but also softer skills such as presentation, communication and collaboration. We were impressed by the quality of the presentations last year and are looking forward to seeing this year's cohort raise the bar even further."

This event is a unique opportunity for young professionals to improve their collaborative and communication skills, explore innovative ideas, and work effectively within a multi-stakeholder environment. We are looking forward to the seeing all the teams’ presentations and ideas for the future of the water-energy nexus.