Arup has appointed two senior leaders to its water business for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa (UKIMEA), reinforcing its ambition to grow its water offering across the regions.

The appointments come as Arup continues to expand its presence in the water market, a strategic growth area for the consultancy, with increasing demand for expertise in water security, resilience, infrastructure investment, policy and regulation.

Alastair Chisolm joins the consultancy as Water Policy, Regulation and Governance Lead for the Strategic Services for Water Strategy and Insights team.

With nearly 30 years’ experience in UK water and environmental sectors, Alastair has played a leading role in shaping debates around water quality, resources and resilience. Throughout his career, he has scrutinised and influenced policy, legislation and regulation, helping shape discussions with government, regulators and industry stakeholders, and advocate for better outcomes across the sector.

HE will help grow Arup’s water policy, regulation and governance advisory offer, working with clients to navigate the significant changes shaping the water sector. He will also support the development of integrated, long-term solutions that improve outcomes for communities and the environment.

Matt Walker joins as UKIMEA Water Business Growth Director for Water Utilities, helping drive growth across Arup’s water business, and working with clients and partners to create a more resilient and sustainable future for water, the environment more broadly and its dependencies. A chartered civil engineer with more than 27 years’ experience across the water and infrastructure sectors, Matt brings extensive expertise in business growth, client leadership and collaborative major programme delivery.

In his new role, Matt will work closely with water utility clients, industry partners and teams across Arup to strengthen relationships and support the delivery of major investment programmes. He will help clients navigate some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including water security, resilience and the transition to more sustainable water systems.

Commenting on his new role, Alastair Chisolm, Water Policy, Regulation and Governance Lead at Arup said:

“It is all too clear that globally, effective water management is right at the forefront of our ability to cope with more extreme weather that manifests in floods, droughts, crop failure and other challenges. Policy and regulation can struggle to be nimble, strategic enough to keep pace with or even get ahead of these challenges. But the links between water, growth, prosperity and security are now rapidly being recognised in decision making circles where they previously went unappreciated.

“Arup has a proud history of designing with water, bringing together experts from across disciplines to tackle complex challenges. Being able to tap into this wealth of experience and use it to help clients appreciate what’s possible and how to form or navigate policy and regulation to get there is hugely exciting.”

Matt Walker, UKIMEA Water Business Growth Director for Water Utilities at Arup, commented:

“The current weather in the UK has underscored what many have known for a long time; water is fundamental to healthy communities, thriving economies and resilient ecosystems. Living in the East of England, the UK's driest region, has reinforced for me the importance of planning for and delivering a future with secure, resilient and thriving water systems.

“I am thrilled to be working with my Arup colleagues, industry clients, stakeholders and partners to solve these challenges together.”