The boardroom at a world-leading analysis centre in Exeter has been named in reminiscence of former South West Water Managing Director, Dr Stephen Bird.
Senior leaders from South West Water and the University of Exeter got here collectively final week to attend a memorial occasion for the late Dr Bird on the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) in Exeter.
Dr Bird was the Managing Director at South West Water between 2016 and 2019 and performed an integral function in growing the imaginative and prescient and design for CREWW – a joint initiative between South West Water and the University of Exeter designed to resolve among the most urgent international environmental challenges of our time.
Based on the University’s Streatham Campus, CREWW will formally launch subsequent yr to undertake world-leading analysis into among the most urgent environmental challenges in our time – specifically how we are able to handle our valuable pure assets in methods that are sustainable, progressive and resilient.
The memorial occasion on Friday (24 November) was attended by Dr Bird’s household, associates and former colleagues, and noticed the naming of The Dr Stephen Bird Boardroom and the revealing of a plaque to honour the dedication and imaginative and prescient of Dr Bird. The occasion was adopted by a memorial lunch for attendees at Reed Hall.
Dr Bird joined South West Water in 1992 and have become Managing Director in January 2016 after holding senior posts within the business. An achieved tutorial and businessman, with a ardour for schooling, Dr Bird’s imaginative and prescient for CREWW centred across the long-term advantages for purchasers, water resilience and the setting.
Dr Bird was equally captivated with giving individuals the power to develop, study, and develop. The purpose-built analysis facility brings these values to life, and supplies an area to permit for development, exploration, and developments that may assist resolve actual issues for each native and international communities.
Alongside his work at South West Water, Dr Bird who was a proud Plymothian, was a champion of the area’s businesses and financial system.
Susan Davy, Chief Executive Officer at South West Water, stated: “During his time at South West Water, Stephen made an immeasurable contribution to the company, the region and the water industry. His passion for the advancement of science, and the positive environmental impact of CREWW, were key driving forces behind the joint initiative. The CREWW initiative demonstrates the passion Stephen had for investing in education and reinforcing how collaborative thinking can bring about great change. We are proud to be able to honour his memory with the naming of the new boardroom.”
Professor Richard Brazier, co-director of CREWW from the University of Exeter, stated: “I first met Stephen after I started endeavor analysis into South West Water’s pioneering programme of panorama restoration, Upstream Thinking. As fellow Geographers, we shared a world view and a well-rounded understanding of the methods by which the water cycle, so basic to life, is influenced by our approaches to land use and land administration.
“As a former academic, Stephen clearly understood the need for sound science and evidence to support the kind of difficult decision-making that water companies are involved in. Without Stephen’s support, advice and mentorship, the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste would not have come to be what it is today, a world-leading research centre which we hope will honour his name for decades to come.”
Dr Bird’s household have thanked South West Water and the University of Exeter for marking his exemplary profession. They stated Dr Bird can be honoured to have his title endlessly related to the work that might be carried out within the CREWW building because the University trains up future leaders for the business that he was proud to be part of.
The Dr Stephen Bird Boardroom, named in Dr Bird’s honour will function an enduring tribute to Dr Bird (14.05.1958 – 10.05.2019).
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