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Previous USIT Award Winners

Winners News - Archive


Clive Ingram, Asset Creation, Severn Trent Water Ltd

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MSc in Environmental Quality Management, De Montford University


Having completed civil engineering and management qualifications, I went on to study for the CIWEM Diploma (DipWEM) to broaden my industry knowledge. It soon became apparent that much more importance was being placed on high standards of environmental practice and I decided to further develop my environmental knowledge. I embarked on this by securing a place on a MSc course and passed the first part (which I self funded). However, because of ever tightening budgets, I could not secure funding from my employer to continue with the study. When I read the USIT leaflet I realised that I probably satisfied the criteria for an award for further education and I was extremely pleased when I was approved for an award to complete the MSc. In terms of my personal development, this piece of learning will build upon my current experience, knowledge, qualifications and training and equip me with a recognised ‘senior qualification’ within the environmental field.


David R. Warren, Graduate Design Engineer, South Staffordshire Group – Walsall

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PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Course


I am always looking for ways to better myself within my industry and the Tier 2 award offered by USIT was an ideal opportunity for applying for training. Being relatively new to the business I felt that the PRINCE2 qualification in project management was ideal for extending my knowledge of methods and approaches for this purpose.


When I received the call to say I had been awarded the funds to complete the qualification I was very pleased. The week long course was hard work yet insightful and my awareness of how to handle my projects has significantly improved. I would like to extend my thanks to USIT for the opportunity they have given me and would highly recommend this award to anyone wishing to gain such qualifications.


Stephen Smyth, Customer Service, Northern Ireland Water

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HNC in Water Operations with Management, Cardonald College


For some time I had been concerned that I did not possess any qualifications specific to the industry that I have chosen to devote my career to. The USIT Skills award has enabled me to study for an HNC in Water Operations at Cardonald College. I have worked for NI Water in both the scientific and customer service sections of the business however I always felt that I needed to develop a more rounded knowledge of the industry and the HNC in Water Operations will give me that overview. Even though I only started the course in August, I am already beginning to see the benefits in my day to day activities within NI Water as my confidence and general industry knowledge increases. I will always be grateful to USIT for giving me this valuable opportunity.


Simon Cyhanko, Distribution Operations Controller, Northumbrian Water


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The award I received from USIT has enabled me to obtain some professional coaching from a training organisation. I have found it really useful having this relationship with somebody not employed within the same organisation - my coach really has therefore offered a different outlook and perspective on many things. My coach has challenged me and we have set targets for me to achieve in both my personal and professional life. I have therefore approached some of these challenges in a new way and I am sure that the coaching will help me achieve more than I might otherwise do.


Simone Medonos, Lead Environmental Scientist, MWH Edinburgh

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Water Law (Short Course), Cranfield University


I received a USIT Business Skills Award for a short course on Water Law at Cranfield University which I attended in February 2009. In my current role I am seconded into Scottish Water Solutions as an Environmental Advisor. To assist in my role and gain a better understanding of the implications of EU legal system on my work I had been trying to find a formal training course. The week long Water Law short course was a module of a Water Management Masters programme at Cranfield University and best fitted in with my work commitments.


I was very pleased to find the USIT award scheme, which assists in funding courses not normally possible through employers training programmes. I was honoured and excited when I received the Business Skills award to both fund my place on the course as well as contribute to subsistence. Cranfield University has an excellent reputation in Water Science research and education, so I was very grateful to be able to attend a course at such a prestigious institute and knew that the training would be of high quality. The course was valuable and gave me a good overview of EU legislation and how the English and Scottish legal system compare with respect to water law. We had guest lecturers from the regulators and experts in the industry and the lecture notes and handouts have continued to be of use in my role. The only downside was that we were snowed in at Cranfield and all the flights were grounded so it took a long time to get home at the end of the week!


I am very grateful to USIT for this opportunity and I highly recommend applying for a Business Skills Award if you work in the utilities industries and are interested in furthering your knowledge through a specific training course.

Business Skills Award 2008


Gordon MacKay

Gordon MacKay MBA. Projects Manager, Capital Investment Delivery, Scottish Water, Ness Region.


I was both delighted and genuinely encouraged by the support of USIT in the form of a 'Tier 2 Award' for my ongoing BSc(Hons) in Environmental Science. The BSc compliments the HNC in "Water Operations with Management" I completed this year, and will continue to inform my role as Project Manager.


Trained as an engineer, I completed an MBA with the Open University in 2000. However the engineering and commercial aspects of my role are increasingly balanced by a growing need to take due account of environmental systems and processes. A BSc addresses this need. My projects benefit still further from the increasing application of scientific method and rigour to the analysis of problems.


The effort and commitment required to sustain 15 hours extra-curricular study per week over a number of years, is of course significant, but this is where the encouragement of USIT's investment really counts.


Coupled with insights discovered, and benefits realised on every level, further education is a challenge truly worthy of the effort: Thank You USIT!


Leadership Award 2008


For the second year running judges have awarded two applicants the opportunity to go on the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.


Stephen Robson joined Bristol Water in 2002 as head of Legal Services and Company Secretary after 10 years as a practising as a solicitor. Stephen is now Director of HR & Legal and a member of the Executive Team at Bristol Water. Stephen is leading a number of important projects for Bristol Water and in particular equipping staff for the future challenges the industry faces. He has already made significant contributions to the water industry:



Stephen is hoping that the Harvard experience will equip him to further advance the skills agenda and of course to become a more effective and influential leader.


Haydn Knowles is Head of Operations at Dalriada Water Services where his role is to oversee, shape and optimise all operational activities covering front line operations, asset management and contract & client management. During his seven years with the Kelda Group Haydn has rapidly progressed from Graduate Trainee to his current position where he reports directly to two Dalriada Boards of Directors as well as providing reports to the Kelda Board.


Haydn will be looking to Harvard to finesse his visionary leadership, enabling him to think ‘outside the box’ and create innovative opportunities. He would like to transform Dalriada into the most forward-thinking, innovative utility in the UK.


Stephen and Haydn will both be attending Harvard in 2009.


2006/7 Winners


Tier 1 Winner


Award winner Archie MacGregor and Trustee Dr Jack Carnell

The first USIT Tier 1 Award went to Archie MacGregor - Estates Manager for Scottish Water earlier this year. The Award sent Archie on a Management Programme at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland. Below Archie reports on his experience.


A Most Rewarding Award

By Archie MacGregor - Estates Manager, Scottish Water


'Work hard, play hard', is a saying we're all familiar with. Switzerland certainly conjures up images of a great place to go for an idyllic break for most of us. Yet as soon as the pre-course reading lists and workbooks started appearing on the IMD website in the run up to the 3 week 'Managing Corporate Resources' program in Lausanne I'd secured a place on with the help of my USIT Tier 1 award it was clear there was certainly going to be a lot of hard work. I wasn't so sure about play.


Each week was very intense when it came to lectures - 4 hours in the morning, 4 hours in"" the afternoon, some evening sessions, weekend retreats and case studies to review every night. Guess what? I didn't come back with much of a tan. I didn't even have time for an open top bus tour of the city. What I did return with though was the learning experience of a lifetime. Piece by piece we looked at how to analyse a business from top to bottom - strategy development, financial appraisals, stakeholder management, regulatory environments, supply & value chains amongst others as well as personal leadership skills. You could say we were taught how to use the Swiss Army knife of business management techniques.


To give some kind of measure of the level at which the course was pitched there were many Regional Managers from global plcs in attendance and even a CEO from Brazil. Several of the participants already had MBA or equivalent qualifications, yet everyone agreed that the quality of the teaching was such their understanding of how to lead and develop a business had been broadened and deepened.


So what did someone running the Estates department for a Water company in Scotland get out of it? The first session which looked at global trends in economies, geopolitics and environmental issues put the fundamental importance of our industry firmly in context - world-wide per capita consumption of fresh water has doubled since 1940 and it is estimated that by 2025 over 2.8 Billion people will face conditions of water scarcity/stress. It's essential then that we run our water utilities as efficient, sustainable and innovative businesses. At Scottish Water we are in the midst of putting together our Strategic plans for the 2010-2014 regulatory period and what was emphasised on the MCR course again and again was that strategy is not just a case of setting targets for Property revenues/expenditure or Water Quality indicators or Leakage mitigation - you must also look how the organisation will be structured, how functions will be grouped together & linked and how your people will be trained & rewarded to ensure delivery of those targets. ""We were shown some painful real world examples of where some large corporations had fallen short in pursuit of their business master plans simply because they had failed to consider all aspects of the change management process needed to bring about transformation.


No water company can prosper without earning the trust of its Regulators and customers of course and whilst we in the industry routinely interact with such stakeholders on a daily basis the sections of the course covering such topics from an academic perspective were genuinely insightful. One of the case studies used to highlight the behavioural theory of Regulatory authorities was the Water Industry in England & Wales, which was of more than passing interest! The rise and rise of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) was closely allied to this topic and portrayed as partial failure of regulation to fully address issues of public concern. Whether or not we regard listening to the local protest group campaigning against the building of a new wastewater treatment facility or corresponding with one of the global environmental NGOs as unwelcome distractions, the message was we need to understand how they work as they are only likely to increase in number as time goes by.


At a more personal level we looked at some of the behaviours, values and skills that are"" the pre-requisite for successfully managing change in a modern business environment. This used as a reference point the killer question -'Why would anybody want to be led by you?' It doesn't invite glib answers but it's one that all managers would do well to ask themselves from time to time. This aspect of the course also included two weekend sessions with members of New York Actors Institute focusing on presentational and influencing skills. If you don't like getting your speaking habits and mannerisms subject to forensic review this wouldn't have been for you. I enjoyed it even if it was at times the metaphorical equivalent of applying paint stripper to the soul.


Overall, with 3 large ring binders full of course notes and a couple of CD Roms to bring home with me I've got plenty of occasional reading to fall back on when the winter nights come round. But the legacy of the MCR course is a lot more than just a package of useful ""reference materials. The sheer diversity of the people on the course in terms of nationalities (I was the only person there from the UK) and the industries they represented, ranging from Mining, Food Distribution and Investment Banking, added another dimension to the learning opportunities. I gained a lot just from listening to their contributions to the classes and made some good friends as well. There's quite a few of us keeping in touch to share our experiences in applying the MCR tools back in our workplaces, lending each other encouragement, celebrating successes and reviewing progress. Having joined the IMD Alumni club there's also the chance to network with others within the UK who have previously undertaken studies at this renowned centre of learning.


And finally, the play bit? Well, I did manage a bit of paragliding one weekend (not bad for a self-confessed vertigo sufferer!) and given that the closing dinner happened to fall on my birthday we had a little sing-song at the end. Not that even with all that Alpine scenery as an inspiration I'll be auditioning for a re-make of The Sound of Music you'll understand...


Archie MacGregor

Tier 2 Winners 2007


Abigail Lamberti (formerly Stretch) - Energy Institutes TEMOL (Training in Energy Management through Open Learning) course - The Energy Institute


Abigail Lamberti

“I would like to thank USIT for providing me with the opportunity to study the Energy Institute’s TEMOL course (Training in Energy Management through open learning) leading to a Certificate of Competence in Energy Management. I started the course in March 2008 and over the course of the programme I will be studying the fundamentals of energy management thus gaining the technical understanding needed to develop my career. With USIT’s support I am able to reach my goal of becoming a competent energy manager.”


Abigail Lamberti


Siohban McGrath - Msc (Water and Waste Water Engineering) at Cranfield University


Siobhan McGrath

Richard Barton - General Management Programme at Cranfield University:


Richard Barton

"I would like to thank USIT for giving me the opportunity to attend the Cranfield General Management Programme. The course was very intensive including a very draining weekend project away from the University involving a lot of personal feedback in groups and individually. The course brought together 30 managers from all over the world. The key message from the course was thinking about the bigger picture and how to work more effectively across internal organisational boundaries. I certainly learnt a lot about myself and how I can exert my influence across the entire business, not only within operations, but within areas I have previously kept away from. I truly hope I can bring these new found skills into Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water to add greater value to the business and our customers."


"The USIT awards are a great opportunity for people in the water industry to undertake training and development they might not necessarily get. I would strongly recommend everyone to consider applying."


Richard Barton


Joint Winners of USIT Leadership Award


Ken Hutchison and Matt Lewis have both been awarded the USIT Leadership Award which will send them on the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School next year. Judges were unable to separate the two after interviewing five short-listed applicants and decided to send both of them to Harvard.


Ken is General Manager, Capital Investment Delivery at Scottish Water, where is responsible for almost 300 professional, technical and non-technical staff in the newly formed in-house Capital Investment Delivery Team.


Ken's ambition is that he doesn't just want to be a leader; he wants to become an inspirational leader.


Matt is Director of Distribution at South Staffordshire Water, a position he has held for two years. Previously he was Director for Regulation and between the two posts he has had exposure to both strategic and operational issues in the water industry for the past ten years.


Matt recognises the difference between learning about leadership and being an effective leader and relishes the opportunity to network with other high quality delegates.


Matt and Ken are committed to the water industry and demonstrated to the judges they have the desire and potential to grow into director roles. Hopefully the Harvard program will enhance their prospects and unlock their potential.


Ken Hutchison - Harvard: Fun but no Boston Tea Party!


Ken Hutchison and Jack Carnell

Ken Hutchison has followed in the footsteps of US Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and John F Kennedy after winning a place at the world-famous Harvard Business School.


The General Manager of Scottish Water’s Capital Investment Delivery (CID) Team took part in a ‘High Potentials Leadership’ course at the School earlier this year after beating off competition from the water industry across the UK.


Ken, along with Matt Lewis, Director of Regulation from South Staffordshire Water, was jointly awarded the Utilities and Service Industries Training (USIT Tier 1) Leadership Award which provides a study grant of up to £15,000.


Ken joined more than 90 delegates representing global companies from across the world, including Coca Cola and Barclays.


The week long course was highly intensive with work starting at 7.30am each day and not finishing until 7.30pm. There was then only a short break for dinner before 'homework' began. "I was sometimes up working until 1am and even fell asleep at my desk on a couple of nights!" admits Ken.


Much of the week was spent working through case studies of real situations in businesses and organisations and also listening to lectures by some of the world’s most renowned business and change management gurus.


"It was truly inspirational. The course reinforced much of what we are already doing at CID and gave me an awful lot of food for thought for my role. It has continued to inspire me to be a better leader. We were coached on Change Management by John Kotter (Change Guru) and on Building Leadership Presence by professional actors! It was so intensive that the people formed very strong bonds with each other and I now have an international support network of contacts in industries across the world. The UK participants are already planning to hold a reunion."


Although Ken has returned from the course much of his work has only just started.


"Before we left we all had to write a letter outlining what we plan to do to put some of what we had learned into practice when we return to our organisations. Harvard will follow that up with us in the months ahead to see what progress we are making. I also ended up bringing back so many books with me that I had to pay an extra 50 dollars as they took me over my baggage allowance" explained Ken.


"I would like to express my sincere thanks to Jack Carnell (Chair) and the USIT Board for facilitating a learning experience I will never forget."


IWO Conference Award 2009


Charlotte Lee, Development Engineer, Bristol Water


Could you pass on my thanks for the opportunity to go to the conference to those concerned. It was a very memorable experience!


Laura Stickley Graduate Placement, South Staffs Water


I had a brilliant time at the IWO Conference and felt it well worth while.


Stephen Youell, Water Quality Scientist at Portsmouth Water


I was originally disappointed that I was not chosen to attend the IWO Conference this year but I was pleased that a member of my team was given the opportunity to attend; I think it was really good for his development especially with his new role in the department. However I was keen to attend, the theme had me both personally and professionally interested, and so I applied for a place through the USIT sponsorship award.


I felt that this year the conference theme was different to the previous conferences that I had attended. The theme was a on a crisis that I think, until recently, has been assigned to small areas of debate rather than the concerning issue that it should be promoted as. As a result I felt that it was a subject that the industry and its stakeholders would all play a part in tackling and I was keen to learn about the views that they all had to share. (Read more...)


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