Beyond Drought

From Risk to Resilience

Dr Kirsty Upton, Principal Hydrogeologist, British Geological Survey

With over 10 years of experience managing and delivering groundwater research projects across the UK and sub-Saharan Africa, Kirsty’s work has largely focused on developing and applying quantitative approaches for groundwater resource and sustainability assessments. She has extensive experience working with partners across government, NGOs, and academia and industry, providing policy advice to both national and international stakeholders. Kirsty’s current research includes developing numerical and machine-learning methods for groundwater deployable output assessment.

Rob Soley, Hydrogeologist, WSP

Rob has focused on water resources work overseas and in the UK for the last 36 years, having supported the Environment Agency with GIS and coding tools to assess impacts of abstraction and discharge impacts on rivers, wetlands and estuarine/coastal receptors. Rob's talk will be drawn from the regional groundwater, river flow and wetland models, which Rob has led the development and use of across the Sandstone, Chalk, Limestone and gravel aquifers of England.

Phil Merrin, Principal Hydrogeologist & Strategic Hydrogeology Team Manager, Severn Trent Water

Phil leads Severn Trent’s Strategic Hydrogeology team, shaping medium-to long-term plans for our groundwater assets. With 25 years’ experience in the UK water industry, Phil has delivered projects spanning groundwater wellfield development, borehole investment and maintenance, and strategic planning for water resources options. Phil is currently exploring opportunities for managed aquifer recharge and developing new decision support tools to consider long-term benefits linked to natural capital.

Stuart Campbell, Senior Hydrogeologist, Severn Trent Water

Stuart works in Severn Trent’s Asset Strategy and Planning team, focusing on the performance of 259 active groundwater sources to ensure reliable volume and quality; applying a strategic lens to balance immediate solutions with long-term resilience. Stuart has also worked in geothermal exploration and private water supply consultancy, with an interest in mitigating human impacts on water quality and enhancing resilience to extreme weather.

Andy Turner, Water Resources Manager, Environment Agency

Andy Turner has 33 years’ experience in water resources management, working on developing policy, new legislation and national strategy. His current responsibilities include developing the National Framework for Water Resources and leading on the Agency’s work on water resources policy for agriculture.

Bob Hillier, Owner, The Growing Voice

With over 30 years of experience in water resources planning, drought management, resilience and hydrology, Bob was the national lead for agriculture water resources for several years. Currently, Bob's work focusses on the critical link between water and food security as the owner of the independent platform, The Growing Voice, using his experience and expertise to provide news, advice and consultancy support to the agriculture sector.

Daniel Yarker, Chartered Scientist, Affinity Water

Daniel has twelve years’ experience working within the Water Resources team at Affinity Water, providing technical water resources and hydrogeological support during a number of drought and dry weather events (most notably in 2017-2019, 2022, and 2025) to operational colleagues and regulators.

Andrew Francis, Managing Director, Home Farm (Nacton) Ltd

Andrew has over 30 years’ experience in Agricultural Business, having led diverse farming operations across combinable, root vegetable, and field scale horticultural crops. Andrew chairs the LEAF Marque Technical Advisory Committee, is Deputy Chair of the Agri-Food Industry Council for Norfolk and Suffolk, and a Director of East Suffolk Produce (ESP). With a focus on people, soils, and water use, Andy has a wealth of knowledge on best farming practices to support both national and international organisations.

Dr Rachel Dewhurst, Senior Technical Director, Stantec

Rachel is an expert in water resource management, groundwater, groundwater geochemistry and contaminated land with more than 20 years of experience delivering water resources engineering solutions to the water sector, including optioneering for WINEP and PR schemes and feasibility assessments for river restoration, managed aquifer recharge and discharge to ground solutions.

Joe Shipperbottom, Principal Hydrogeologist, AtkinsRéalis

Joe has over a decade of experience in water management consultancy, with his work mainly focusing on groundwater protection and management for large-scale infrastructure projects within the energy, highway and railway sectors. Previously, Joe worked for Envireau Water where his work focussed more on water resources with a strong focus on borehole management, including design, operation and testing.