Infrastructure consulting firm AECOM has appointed Will Barnett as the new Director of Water in its Environment, Water and Energy (EWE) division, leading AECOM’s water team in the UK and Ireland.
The 700 strong team works on a range of projects across the region for water utilities and public sector organisations. It delivers solutions for clients navigating challenges such as climate resilience, infrastructure modernisation, leakage reduction, environmental and sustainability best practice and customer engagement.
Mr. Barnett brings more than 25 years of experience in the regulated water industry across the UK and Ireland. He was previously at Jacobs, where he held a number of business management and leadership roles, most recently as Client Delivery Director for Water and Environment – Major Programmes. Prior to that, Mr. Barnett successfully undertook senior client side and programme delivery roles, including as Technical Director and Thames Water Engineering Lead at Arcadis.
AECOM has been working collaboratively with water companies across the UK to help them solve their most pressing issues in delivering safe, reliable water and wastewater services and responding to climate change challenges through flood protection and resilience, as they gear up for the AMP8 regulatory period from 2025-2030.
The water team provides clients and communities with full asset lifecycle consultancy and advisory services throughout the water cycle. By leveraging technical expertise and maximizing geographic reach, the team delivers innovative solutions and a sustainable future for water use, the water environment, flood risk management and infrastructure.
Gert Vermeiren, Managing Director of Environment, Water and Energy, Europe and India, at AECOM, said:
“Will’s expertise and strategic vision will be invaluable as we aim to expand our presence in the water sector, building on our strong track record shaping some of the UK’s most ambitious water projects and programmes. His leadership will guide teams and support clients as our portfolio of projects grows.”
Will Barnett, Director of Water, UK and Ireland, at AECOM, said:
“As water utilities in the UK are looking to tackle the challenges of climate change, population growth and low carbon emissions to achieve their goals in the next asset management period, we are supporting with the strategic advice and technical expertise to deliver solutions which achieve the optimum outcomes for our clients, their communities and the environment. From asset management and design to digital, programme, cost and commercial services, advisory and nature-based solutions, I am excited to lead the AECOM Water team as it continues to deliver its in-depth sector work, supporting water companies in realising their ambitions.”
AECOM’s EWE division was set up in 2022, providing integrated consultancy services to enable projects such as grid modernisation, renewable energy, water infrastructure, flood risk mitigation and carbon management, among others. It is delivering some of the UK’s most complex energy and water programmes, such as National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, Southern Water’s Professional Services Framework, and Severn Trent Water’s flood resilience project in Mansfield, which is the UK’s largest sustainable urban drainage scheme.
