NEWSDESK


drain TRADER


Jo Parker (MBE)makes top 50Women


women engineers generally and reckoned I would not stay but therewere other people whowere supportive and the award is a tribute to themasmuch as tome. I justwish my parentswere alive to see that, butmy husbandwas really pleased forme and has been incredibly supportive ofme.


Whatwas your background/ experience originally andwhat brought you into the trenchless industry and your associationwith and ongoing commitment to UKSTT?


Jo ParkerMBE


TheWomen’s EngineeringSociety (WES) recently issuedits listingofwhoit feels are the top50WomenEngineers inSustainability across theUK.UKSTT’s friendandassociate Jo Parkerhasbeenlistedasoneof these 50 women. The followinginterviewlooks at Jo’s career andherhopes for the futureof the industry. First of all, Jo, congratulations onmaking it into theTop 50Women Engineers In Sustainability on theWomen’s Engineering Society (WES) listing. What does it feel like to be recognised for what, for those of us that knowyou, has been a significant part of yourworking life? I amabsolutely blown away. I decided I wanted to be a civil engineer at the age of 14 and I haveworked in thewater industry since I graduated, in factmy first tasterwas a vacation job aftermy first year atUniversity. I love it.Therewere several occasionswhen I could havemoved to another industry, but I loveworking in an areawhich is so essential, makes such a contribution to society. Therefore, to be recognised formy contribution to the industry justmeans so much tome.


What does this listingmean to you personally?


I have been going aroundwith a big grin on my face.When I first startedwork (nearly 50 years ago) a lot of peoplewere sceptical about


Jo Parkerwith herWES Award for the top 50 Women in Engineering


66 drain TRADER | August 2020 | www.draintraderltd.com


I havemoved between the disciplines ofwater treatment andwater distribution, but I have always foundwater distribution fascinating and became interested in thewhole concept of assetmanagement and considering the whole life cost andmanagement of the distribution network.AsHead ofNetwork AssetManagementwithVeoliaWaterUK Iwas constantly trying to find betterways to renew and replacewater pipes and became interested in trenchless technology then as well as in the technologywhich supports it such as themanagement of asset records and asset condition assessment.


What has been yourmost challenging engineering/trenchless experience over those years (project/product development)?


Itwould be difficult to choose between managing the Section 19 rehab programme forVeoliaWaterwhich required constant liaisonwith customers andworking in the


Engineers in Sustainability listing By Ian Clarke, No Dig Media


street cheek-by-jowlwith the public. If relining did not go to plan, then awhole newset of notices had to be issuedwith the required minimumnotice.The other projectwhichwas completely differentwas the installation of a trunkmain running between Iver and Egham treatmentworks to thewest of London. Itwas needed in a hurry due to a drought at the time andwe had just about everymain-laying challenge tomeet – it crossed themain western railway line, theM4, several rivers and SSSIs.Trenchlesswas absolutely essential for that project.


What do you see as being your own greatest personal achievement in Engineering and in particular in the trenchless industry?


Imanaged a projectwhich developed away of integrating asset records fromdifferent utilities.Thiswas awarded the IET innovation prize and theNJUGprize and lead to the Scottish online records system‘ScottishVault’ whichwas aworld leader.At long last a similar systemis being considered for England.Good buried asset records are essential for any trenchless project and thiswillmake life so much easier for both designers and site engineers and facilitate all types of trenchless projects.


Have you any noworwhen you started in trenchless did you have any particular rolemodels in the industry?Whowere they andwhy were they so influential?


I owe a huge debt of gratitude to 2 people whowere very supportive tome.One isTed Flaxman,who has been a great rolemodel all throughmy career.The other is JohnHeavens, who lived nearme inOxford and became a good friend andwas very supportivewhen I started as an independent consultant. Finally, I must give amention toNormanHowell,who has been a great source of advice and support.


What do you currently see as the UK’s and the industry’smost urgent challenges in your industry sector or more generally?


Climate change is a huge challenge to everyone but particularly thewater industry. Thiswillmake rainfall less reliable, but rainfall eventswill bemore intense, so the resilience


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