Isle Utilities has announced the appointment of Dr Benjamin Tam to the role of chief executive. On taking up the role, Tam has outlined his ambitions for both Isle and the water sector, including an increased focus on collaboration, helping utilities gain funding for environmental initiatives, championing innovation and new thinking on the challenges brought by climate change.

Dr Piers Clark, Chairman of Isle, said: “The need to create this new position is a real reflection of how the business has grown over the past few years and I am delighted that Ben will be stepping into this new role.”

Tam, formally the UK managing director at Isle, has a background in science and innovation, with a PhD in biochemistry. Prior to joining Isle in 2016, Tam worked in the water industry fulfilling a variety of scientific and managerial roles, including a wide portfolio of innovation projects at Anglian Water in the UK. He is currently chair of the UK committee of the International Water Association and a director of the Institute of Water.

“I’m thrilled to take on this role at Isle, and being part of this diverse, international team of people. My vision for the next couple of years is for Isle to expand as a trusted partner across the global water sector, helping to guide utilities and being that catalyst for change as champions of innovation,” said Tam.

The focus on helping the sector achieve environmental impacts such as reaching ‘zero pollution’ is also at the forefront of Isle’s plans, along with identifying synergies with the finance sector’s interest in environment, social and governance (ESG) investments.

“ESG-themed investment is on the rise and one of our jobs now is to champion how and why investments in the sector are important, and interface with those potential investment streams,” said Tam.

Supporting clients to manage the complexities and challenges of implementing the swathe of new and emerging technologies, strategies and ideas will be central to Isle’s work, he added.

“The water industry is facing unprecedented challenges. We are already seeing the very real effects of climate change and population growth and the sector is at the forefront. This is an exciting and challenging time, and I am really looking forward to playing my part in tackling these issues.”