About Water Innovator Alliance
Our Story
The Water Innovator Alliance was founded in 2024 by a group of companies and innovators, convened by Ian Small. Initially, the Alliance was formed to provide a unified voice for innovators in response to an Ofwat consultation on the future of the Ofwat Innovation Fund into AMP8. Recognizing that individual responses might be overlooked, and that innovators were time-constrained, the Alliance created a single, powerful response signed by its 20 founding members. This collective action demonstrated the strength and value of a united innovator community. Building on this successful advocacy, the Alliance has now expanded its scope to provide further insights, networking opportunities, and support to innovators looking to scale their impact within the water sector.
Meet Our Convener
Ian Small serves as the convener of the Water Innovator Alliance, bringing over 20 years of extensive experience in the UK water sector. As a seasoned wastewater network and asset management consultant, he has worked with all of the UK's major water companies. Recognizing the critical need to bridge the gap between pilot projects and scalable solutions, Ian has dedicated the past 10 years to supporting innovation management. He has developed the SOAR innovation model, a valuable tool for innovation managers to effectively manage, communicate, and support the development of projects within their innovation portfolios. Ian's deep understanding of the water sector and his passion for fostering innovation are the driving forces behind the Water Innovator Alliance.
Our Values
- Collaboration: "We believe in the power of partnerships and shared knowledge."
- Innovation: "We support all innovation from marginal gains to cutting-edge technologies, as well as transformational solutions."
- Impact: "We are committed to driving meaningful change in the water sector."
- Advocacy: "We provide a strong, unified voice for innovators to influence policy."
- Support: "We provide support through signposting, connecting, and advocating for innovators within the water sector.