Everyone should have equal opportunity to build a happy and productive career in the water industry. But people at all levels will talk about having problems at one time or another. Career management is a skill that the individual can learn and improve... but the sector need to play its part in creating a welcoming, accessible environment with equal opportunities to progress.

In this episode, our discussion around EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) is framed within the context of Career Management. How can individuals discover what they are good at, then find (or create) the roles that enable them to shine? What can companies and senior leaders do to make sure that recruitment and internal promotions, structures and processes don't fall back into outdated and unequal ways.

Joining Lila today is someone who is hugely well known in the industry, in  part due to the huge success of the water and environment podcast she hosts - Planet Possible. 

Niki Roach started her career on the Yorkshire Water graduate training scheme. After 13 years there, she took the decision to seek out new horizons. Since then she has travelled, set up her own photography business, started her own water and environment consultancy and, of course, launched and grown Planet Possible. 

Niki's is a hugely varied and successful career. But she has faced challenges including  anxiety, sexism in the boardroom, being out of work and struggling to find a role that would fit her family commitments. She has overcome all these challenges with a creative and proactive approach. She shares key insights during this episode - making it a hugely useful listen for anyone at any level in the water sector.

Beneath The Surface

Through powerful stories and real-life examples, Beneath The Surface highlights EDI topics in the water sector, sharing personal experiences and best practices that inspire change. It brings attention to the voices of under-represented groups, with a focus on attracting diverse talent and fostering a culture of inclusion. 

By connecting senior leaders and rising professionals from different backgrounds, it creates a space where ideas flourish, synergies are built, and the industry moves closer to becoming a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Beneath The Surface is co-hosted by British Water's CEO, Lila Thompson, and Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland. 

Podcast Co-host- Lila Thompson, British Water, CEO

Lila is responsible for British Water’s strategic direction, representing the interests of UK water and wastewater supply chain companies together with wider stakeholders across the sector, through the UK, Technical and International forums. The Water Industry Forum provides challenge-led, independent thought leadership, to tackle the challenges facing the sector. Lila was formerly responsible for British Water’s international services and led business development visits to a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, China, and India. Lila has over 20 years of experience driving business growth, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in a variety of sectors.

Podcast Co-host- Perminder Atwal, HR Business Partner, Xylem UK & Ireland

With 18 years of HR experience spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and now the water industry, Perminder has developed a deep understanding of business and strategy, and her journey has also highlighted the critical role of company culture and psychological safety in driving engagement, business success, innovation, and development. Perminder is passionate about ensuring the accessibility of clean water for all. A trip to India in her early years revealed the harsh reality of limited and unclean water resources, particularly impacting children, which was heartbreaking. This experience fuelled her dedication to helping others and reinforced her commitment to working in a global organisation focused on the social value of water.