Mott MacDonald continues water sector growth with the appointment of two industry experts

Mott MacDonald has recruited Anthony Crawford and Dr Karen Murrell to its UK Water Consultancy business. Both will provide significant technical expertise, enhancing the substantial capability already delivered to the sector by the business.

As operational advisory technical director, Anthony will lead a team identifying and addressing operational improvements in order to meet the challenging AMP8 targets around customer service, cost efficiency and carbon reduction. He will enhance Mott MacDonald’s asset advisory and capital offering, focusing on operational investment, asset performance optimisation and energy efficiency, while consolidating its digital offering to water company operational control centres, looking at greater use of AI and machine learning techniques.

Karen strengthens Mott MacDonald’s commitment to supporting the industry improve water quality and address the challenges of climate change, key priorities for the sector. As water quality technical director, she will be responsible for the development of river water quality modelling, investigating the natural processes influencing the fate of contaminants to inform restoration decisions, building assessment tools tailored to specific project needs and undertaking statistical analyses.

With over 65 years of combined water sector experience, both have been involved in high profile projects and programmes. Anthony previously managed water networks at Thames Water and wastewater networks at both Thames Water and South West Water. He has also established and run central control teams and operational support divisions that co-ordinate operations across water and wastewater businesses.

In her previous role at The Water Research Centre, Karen worked with the Environment Agency and UK water companies, playing a key role in the delivery of river water quality programmes. These included the Water Industry National Environment Programme, Urban Pollution Management studies, numerous Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, as well as the Storm Overflow Assessment Framework.

Tim Hill, Mott MacDonald general manager for the UK Water and Environment business, said: “Both Anthony and Karen are well-known in the industry and bring a deep, strategic understanding of the critical challenges the UK water sector faces today. These undoubtedly require a step change across multiple approaches and their expertise will provide exceptional support to help our clients deliver on their objectives for the next Asset Management Plan period and create lasting benefits for their communities.”

Commenting on his appointment, Anthony said: “AMP8 is anticipated to be up to four times bigger than any previous plan and yet it’s likely that water companies will need to do much more, with far less. I’m only too aware of the increasing pressures on the industry to deliver for its customers, while managing regulatory challenges, environmental targets, social value initiatives and affordability. So, I’m looking forward to being able to provide truly transformational asset and operations advice and support the sector in bringing their plans to fruition.”