A keynote seminar is taking place in London on Thursday next week to look at upcoming opportunities and technology trends in the water sector in both UK and overseas markets.

Chaired by Robert Hokin, Chief Executive of ecoConnect CIC, The Future of Water Technology: innovation and investment opportunities will examine the rapid emergence of water as a resource, technology and investment opportunity for UK business and finance.

The Technology Strategy Board estimates that the global water market is expected to grow from US$480bn to US$770bn annually by 2016. Since privatisation the UK market alone has seen an investment of over £90 billion – it is also home to many world-class consultants, contractors and manufacturers with the capacity to grow further and tackle global challenges by developing and exploiting its technology.

The seminar - ecoConnect's Green in the City June Forum – brings together an expert panel to explore how to capitalise on the potential of this major opportunity for the UK water sector to provide new and innovative solutions and generate business growth, jobs and exports.

Speakers include:

• John Bourne, Deputy Director for Water Supply at Defra
• Ken Rumph,  Director of Cleantech Research at Nomura Code (cleantech investment arm of Nomura Bank)
• Gordon McCreath,  Partner at Pinsent Masons
• Stephen Kay, Managing Director at Cambridge Water PLC

The investment and finance community in the UK and overseas are taking a close interest in water and waste water technologies and the growing global requirement for innovative solutions to address aging infrastructure, the need for better quality standards and growing consumer demand.

Key issues the panel will be considering include:

• What are the emerging technologies that starting to make an impact?
• What are investment trends; what technology areas are ripe for future investment?
• Where are opportunities in supply chain and procurement?
• What are the potential barriers to expansion and growth; can the regulatory regime respond sufficiently to facilitate new opportunities in the industry?
• How far has the water industry actually come in reducing their own carbon emissions?

The seminar will be moderated by Mark Lane, Partner at Pinsent Masons, the only private practice lawyer on the UK Government's Water Sector Advisory Group. The “question - time” discussion forum also incorporates time for audience participation.

The Green in the City June Forum has been organised by ecoConnect- the UK’s fastest growing cleantech business network and self-funded development agency for green industry throughout the UK - which provides essential links to green industry innovation, support, investment and procurement.