MEET

THE TEAM

  • I started with Suffolk County Council as a graduate in 2015 and worked across Suffolk Highways and the Flood & Water Management Team. I ended up learning a lot about flooding and drainage issues and this led me to become a project manager centring on the delivery of capital schemes which reduce flood risk to residential properties. When the opportunity to bid for funding to support Reclaim the Rain came up we knew it was an excellent opportunity for Norfolk and Suffolk, so threw everything at trying to put together a strong submission. Fortunately it paid off and now here we are!

  • I love being able to facilitate or contribute to discussions that end up with talented and experienced people coming up with brilliant, creative solutions to really difficult problems. Sometimes Suffolk and Norfolk fly under the radar but I think we have some of the most forward thinking and innovative sustainable water management minds in the UK across both counties, and helping those people deliver good ideas is a real joy.

  • I haven’t missed a single Formula 1 race in about 4 years. I am a massive Formula 1 nerd!

  • Can I be Thor like Chris Hemsworth? Magic hammer and the ability to control lightning seems cool. Maybe I could just look like Chris Hemsworth?

  • Pretty Woman. There are no other answers.

  • I have two cats. One tabby girl (Olive) who is an absolute angel, and a ginger boy (Vinnie) who is a nightmare and constantly ends up at the vet!

get to know Tom

  • My parents took me to my first music festival, aged 6, on the Isle of Wight experiencing the whole on-site camping, the overflowing port-a-loos, all made worthwhile with an amazing line up, including David Bowie. I have had the music bug ever since.

  • I first joined Suffolk County Council, having graduated from Cardiff University with a Degree in Environmental Geography, on voluntary work experience with the Flood & Water Management Team. Having only just left university, I worked in the evenings and at weekends pouring pints in my local pub, before starting full-time employment with Suffolk’s Planning Team. During this time I was privileged to work on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project consultations, as well as responding to major planning applications to secure financial contributions. I am deeply passionate about climate change and social justice, and so upon hearing about the Reclaim the Rain project I returned to the Flood and Water Management Team in 2021 with the intention of making a positive difference to both our local environment and people.

  • Meeting, talking to and learning from those around me. My colleagues would, no doubt agree, that I do like a chat.

    Spending time thinking about how Reclaim the Rain can evidence the value of better management of our precious water resources and our natural environment is really rewarding, giving me such a great sense of purpose and job satisfaction. Now that’s definitely more than one favourite so I’ll leave it there.

  • Hiking, photography, outdoor pursuits, and very recently paddle boarding.

  • I have a totally bonkers, but well intentioned blonde Labradoodle called Boris

  • I’m a quarter Swiss and can yodel.

get to know RUby

  • Norfolk Broads

  • I started my career back in 2003 as an apprentice roadworker for NCC then after my time on the tools I moved into NCC Highway Skills training centre as a trainer/assessor helping others to get the ability to work on the highways and in civil engineering industry. I have also spent time in the Highway design team and also bridge maintenance/design team at NCC, I then moved into the NCC LLFA team where I have been since 2019 reviewing FRA’s and drainage strategies, dealing with consent applications to ordinary watercourse along with section 19 reports (flood investigations) and general issues with ordinary watercourses. Now I am working on this amazing innovation project.

  • Getting to meet and work with new people

  • I am an Explorer Scout Leader at 1st Buxton Lamas Sea Scout

  • Invisibility

  • Spending time on the water, Paddleboarding and Kayaking

get to know sean

  • After finishing university with an Environmental Science Degree, I worked in the malting industry as a production supervisor, gaining valuable knowledge and experience. However, I have always had a strong drive to join the environmental sector to try and do something positive for the environment, especially whilst we face increasing pressures on our climate. This is what lead me to join Reclaim the Rain. I find myself incredibly lucky to be able to work towards bringing positive change to Norfolk and Suffolk with this innovative, exciting project.

  • I would like the ability to create and change matter into whatever I imagine.

  • Yes, Winnie and Wyatt the Old English sheepdogs who take me on walks!

  • I’m a non-identical triplet.

  • I have one really wonky finger.

  • I love reading, walking with my dogs and running (albeit very slowly) with my fab local running group.

get to know sian

  • Having worked for Norfolk Constabulary and further customer-focused roles, I then graduated from Durham University in 2019 in Human Geography and joined the Flood and Water team at Norfolk County Council in 2021 as Assistant Flood Risk Officer, dealing with ordinary watercourse regulation, consents, general enquires and Flood Investigation Reports. I led the Property Flood Resilience Grant scheme, which currently allows a grant of up to £5,000 for internally flooded properties to protect homes via flood defence measures of up to 20 years. I am now working on this fantastic and innovative project as Assistant Project Manager.

  • The ability to fly (for the cheap holidays)!

  • Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

  • At university, I was part of an acapella group as a singer/beatboxer and am a massive metalhead, much to the disdain of many of my friends.

  • Martial Arts, gaming, watching Formula 1 and trying/cooking foods from around the world.

  • There are so many to choose from, but York holds a special place for me because of its history and architecture (and many pubs).

get to know chris