The MaRIUS project benefits from expert advice and support from a very experienced group of UK based project partners in government, industry and NGOs. These partners form the project’s Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) and give inputs, in terms of time and expertise, to help steer the project. Liaison between the stakeholders and the project’s social and natural scientists will help to ensure that the outputs from the MaRIUS project, including the ‘impacts dashboard’, are matched to their needs and to the evolving policy context.
In addition we have close working relationships with Defra, Environment Agency, Ofwat, UKWIR and the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change.
Technical Director
Atkins
Ben Piper is a Technical Director at Atkins, Water and Environment and has more than 30 years’ experience of water resources planning and management issues.
Environment Agency
Dr Glenn Watts works in the Evidence Directorate of the Environment Agency, leading a research team of 11 specialising in climate change and resource efficiency. His special interests are in climate change impacts and adaptation in the water sector, particularly concentrating on water supply and drought management.
Head of Profession for climate change impacts
Natural England
Dr Mike Morecroft is Head of Profession for climate change impacts at Natural England. Before joining Natural England Dr Morecroft led an ecology research group at CEH Wallingford
National Water Resource Advisor
National Farmers Union
Paul Hammett is the National Farmers Union’s national water resource advisor.
Director of NERA
NERA Economic Consulting
Dr Bill Baker is a Director of NERA based in London with water economics experience spanning more than 30 years and more than 30 countries, including estimating the benefits of avoiding water shortage, and devising practical ways for water supply companies to form good long-run supply-demand strategies in the face of water sector uncertainties.
Chief Economist (EA), interim Environment Director (Ofwat)
Ofwat, Environment Agency (EA)
Ronan Palmer is the Chief Economist at the Environment Agency where he takes an overview of the Environment Agency’s engagement with the economy, and its use of economics in improving its business. He is also currently an interim Environment Director at Ofwat, where he takes a strategic view of Ofwat’s engagement with environmental issues.
Founding Partner
Sayers and Partners
Paul Sayers runs Sayers and Partners consultants and has a growing portfolio of international applied drought risk analysis, for clients including WWF with whom he is working on drought planning.
Director (East & South)
Rivers Trust
Barry Bendall is a Director (East & South) at the Rivers Trust which is the umbrella body of over 45 rivers trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Director (East & South)
RWE Generation UK
Ugo Gasparino represents electricity generators in the project, and is a Lead Environmental Analyst at RWE Generation UK.
Senior Technical Advisor
Thames Water
Dr Chris Lambert is responsible for developing Thames Water’s Water Resource Management Plan and Drought Plan.
Head of water resources and supply infrastructure
Defra
Sarah Heineman is responsible for developing Defra’s approach to water resource management and drought resilience to meet the government’s manifesto commitment.