120. WET 10 Debate

Many of you will be aware of the WET 10 – an informal grouping of Livery Companies who encourage dialogue amongst those engaged in both the supply and use of water. The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators lead this group and normally arrange for an annual lecture to be held in the Spring of each year. This year we changed the format to a debate and the organization of this event (held at the Guildhall) was expertly undertaken by our Walbrook Warden, Mark Lane, and our Clerk, Ralph Riley.

The Motion was “THIS HOUSE believes that the water utility of 2030 will have to be unrecognizable from the water utility of today to survive”. We had four excellent speakers. They were: Martin Shouler Global Environmental Services Engineering Skills Leader at Arup) for the Motion, seconded by Alex Vaughan (MD, Natural Resources for Costain) and Peter Simpson (CEO Anglian Water Group) opposing the Motion and seconded by Richard Laikin (UK Water Sector Leader for PWC).

The audience of over 80 including visiting Masters, Liverymen and Guests proved to be a lively bunch with over 40 minutes of quick-fire debate. The event, which I chaired, was under Chatham House Rules, so I can’t report the details of the discussion, other than to say that when invited to vote, the Motion was lost by a ratio of 2:1!

Everyone was invited to stay for drinks and canapés and many didn’t seem to want to go home.

A very successful and enjoyable event.

Photographs show the WET 10 logo, me introducing the speakers, and the four speakers with me before the debate got underway.