Tony Smithson

Tony Smithson is project director and storm overflow director. He advises water companies across the UK on the development and delivery of storm overflow and wastewater improvement programmes, helping clients balance environmental ambition, regulatory expectations and practical delivery. 

Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Tony has worked across the UK, Australia and New Zealand, supporting strategies and programmes that address storm overflows, wastewater network performance, flooding and climate resilience. His experience combines catchment planning, network modelling, engineering and programme leadership, enabling him to bring together diverse disciplines to solve complex challenges and deliver environmental improvements at pace. 

A recognised advocate of systems thinking, Tony champions approaches that consider storm overflows within the context of whole catchments and wider environmental outcomes. He works closely with planning, design and construction teams to bridge the gap between strategy and delivery, helping clients turn long-term ambitions into practical, investable and deliverable solutions.