As a leader in the UK water sector, Northumbrian Water provides sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the North East of England. Though it often operates out of the spotlight, under the guidance of their Head of Innovation, Angela Macoscar, the company is doing more than simply supplying water and sanitation services; it is pushing the boundaries of sustainability and innovation in ways that will benefit both the environment and future generations. Angela’s journey through various industries has equipped her with a unique perspective and deep knowledge, which she now applies to transform the water industry.
Angela Macoscar’s Career So Far
Angela’s career so far is an inspiring example of adaptability and inquisitiveness. She began her professional journey as an apprentice at multinational oil and gas company Shell, where she learned the intricacies of lubricant oil production. “I absolutely loved it there,” Angela recalls fondly, remembering how her mentors pushed her to further her education. That advice led her to study chemistry at Manchester University, which eventually saw her complete a PhD sponsored by Volvo, enabling her to live in Sweden for a period- a formative experience that broadened her worldview.
Her career took another significant turn when she joined Procter & Gamble (P&G), where she spent 17 years leading innovations in laundry products. Angela proudly refers to herself as the “mother of Bold lavender and chamomile,” a laundry product that transformed the UK washing powder market with their fresh and exciting scents, whilst reframing and adding value to a commodity market. This experience ignited her passion for innovation, which later inspired her to embark on entrepreneurial ventures and collaborate with start-ups in the North East of England.
Ultimately, Angela found her calling at Northumbrian Water, where for the past six years, she has led the company’s innovation efforts. “I absolutely love it,” she says, speaking about her role. “I’m responsible for innovation across our operations, for our employees, and for our customers. It’s a very broad field, and we’re constantly exploring new ways to improve and innovate.”
Serving the Community: A Customer-Centric Approach
At the heart of Northumbrian Water’s ethos is a commitment to its customers and the local communities it serves. Angela highlights that the company operates according to strong ethical values, ensuring that all projects remain customer focused. This customer centric approach is particularly vital when tackling large-scale infrastructure works, which can disrupt local communities.
“We try to work with communities to understand what they need and how we can minimise disruption,” Angela explains. The company also strives to leave a positive legacy, ensuring that any work it carries out results in an improvement to the community.
In addition to providing water and sanitation services, Northumbrian Water is dedicated to protecting the environment. In particular, the company works closely with local communities to safeguard the natural beauty of rivers and beaches, ensuring that these precious resources are well-maintained and conserved for future generations.
“When we know that we’re going to be working in the community, we try to understand what they need and how we could work best with local residents to make sure that we minimise our disturbance. But very importantly, we want to understand what we can leave behind as a positive legacy. So we look to see if we can leave things better than when we started. So we definitely have a very strong community and customer ethic. We are also responsible for looking after our rivers and beaches. So again, we work really, really responsibly and work with local communities to make sure that those environments are the best that they could be. So we are in touch and very, very well networked across our communities in all of our regions.” Angela adds.
Tackling Climate Change: Building Resilience
With climate change posing an ever-growing threat to the water sector, Northumbrian Water is proactively seeking to mitigate its effects. Angela elaborates on the company’s long term sustainability strategy, which is especially important given the sector’s reliance on five year funding cycles. “We need to build resilience into our operations, particularly in light of increasingly frequent extreme weather events,” she asserts.
One of the company’s most ambitious goals is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2027- three years ahead of the collective target set for the industry. This goal involves significant investment in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, as well as pioneering projects like biomethane production. As part of this, Northumbrian Water has also been exploring hydrogen production as a potential energy solution, demonstrating the company’s commitment to leading the charge on sustainability.
Angela underscores the importance of nature-based solutions in the company’s approach, ensuring that each decision accounts for its long-term environmental impact. “We want to implement nature-based solutions wherever possible, rather than simply relying on ‘grey’ infrastructure,” she insists, highlighting the company’s dedication to using sustainable methods wherever feasible.
Embracing Digital Transformation: Harnessing the Power of Technology
Digital transformation is central to Northumbrian Water’s innovation strategy. Angela explains that the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence has significantly enhanced the company’s operations, improving both the efficiency and quality of services. By leveraging open data and collaborating with external partners, Northumbrian Water is tapping into the potential of data to drive innovation and improve customer experience.
One of the most innovative projects the company has launched is the River Deep Mountain AI project, which uses machine learning algorithms to assess the health of rivers. This project represents a perfect marriage of cutting-edge technology and environmental stewardship, as it allows the company to monitor and address issues related to water quality in real-time.
Additionally, Northumbrian Water has been a pioneer in the use of digital twin technology, creating virtual replicas of their physical operations. This technology allows the company to test and optimise processes before making changes in the real world, minimising disruptions to live services and enabling more informed decision-making.
A Unique Company Culture: Fostering Collaboration and Innovation
One of the key factors that sets Northumbrian Water apart from others in the industry is its distinctive company culture, which Angela describes as having a “family feel.” The company fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas and collaborate on problem-solving. “We aim to have a quarter of the workforce actively involved in innovation and R&D activities each year, and we’re currently exceeding that,” Angela proudly shares.
The company also hosts an annual Innovation Festival, a gathering that allows employees to present their ideas and engage in discussions around solving common challenges. This event not only facilitates creativity as well as collaboration, but also helps to unite employees around shared goals and values, driving collective enthusiasm for the company’s mission.
Investing in Employees: Diversity and Continuous Learning
Northumbrian Water also places great emphasis on employee development and satisfaction. Angela is particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion within the organisation, ensuring that the workforce is reflective of the communities the company serves. One of the company’s key initiatives focuses on increasing the representation of women in STEM roles, ensuring that the business is attracting and retaining a diverse talent pool.
Continuous learning is another core value at Northumbrian Water. The company offers various opportunities for professional development, from workshops and training programmes to collaborative learning projects. Angela speaks enthusiastically about the company’s Innovation University – a modular training series designed to empower employees to incorporate innovative practices into their daily roles. “We want to ensure that every employee feels they have the tools and support to innovate in their own way,” Angela says.
Looking to the Future: Embracing New Challenges
As Northumbrian Water moves forward, the company remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of the water industry, continuing to innovate and adapt in response to the challenges posed by climate change, shifting regulations, and evolving customer expectations. Angela remains optimistic about the company’s ability to navigate these challenges while continuing to deliver high-quality services to customers.
“There will always be challenges,” Angela acknowledges. “But where there are barriers, there are also opportunities. And we always find new ways to tackle them.” This positive, forward-thinking mindset is reflected in the company’s strategic pipeline of innovative projects, all designed to improve both operational efficiency and sustainability.
With a focus on collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and sustainability, Northumbrian Water is poised to remain a leader in the water sector. The company is not only meeting the demands of the present but also paving the way for a resilient and sustainable future.
The Role of Northumbrian Water in a Changing World
In a time where the impacts of climate change are becoming more pronounced, water management is an increasingly critical issue. However, with leaders like Angela, the future of water in the UK looks not only more sustainable but also more innovative. Northumbrian Water’s ongoing commitment to embracing new technologies, driving sustainability, and ensuring that it serves both its customers and the environment speaks to a future where innovation, responsibility, and care for the planet go hand in hand.
Northumbrian Water is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the water industry, ensuring that it continues to thrive in the years to come. As the company moves forward, it will undoubtedly remain a beacon of innovation and inspiration for others in the water sector and beyond.