Water Resilience Investment Summit

Proudly part of the London Climate Resilience Finance Summit, The Water Resilience Investment Summit brings together the organisations best placed to change that - water companies, infrastructure operators, insurers, asset owners, landholders, funders and Government - to accelerate the shift from pilot projects to investable, catchment-scale resilience.

Hosted by the FloodAction Coalition, this action-focused gathering is designed to align capital, governance and delivery models so nature-based flood management can function as reliable national infrastructure.

This is where resilience moves from concept to coordinated action.

PAUL VAN ZYL

CEO and Co-Founder, The Conduit

11-1

Paul served as the Executive Secretary of South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Paul also co-founded the International Centre for Transitional Justice, an organization that works in over 40 countries that have endured massive human rights violations under repression conflict. Paul is also a co-founder and CEO of Maiyet, an ethical luxury fashion brand that cultivates traditional design and culture by partnering with global artisans. Most recently, Paul co-founded The Conduit, which serves as a home for those committed to improving the world by harnessing the power of creativity and entrepreneurship. The Conduit serves as a home for a diverse community of people passionate about social change.

CLAUDINE BLAMEY

Chief Sustainability Officer, Aviva and Chair, FloodAction Coalition

Claudine Blamey

Currently Chief Sustainability Officer at Aviva. Claudine was previously the Director of Sustainability and Digital Strategy at Argent LLP for 3 years.

Claudine delivered the net zero carbon flights strategy at easyJet in her role as Director of Sustainability. Prior to this she set up the Group sustainability function at Sainsbury’s covering sustainable sourcing, operational waste and community activity as well as group charitable partnerships and overall development of group wide sustainability strategy and implementation.

Claudine was responsible for the sustainability strategy for The Crown Estate’s business. Claudine joined from SEGRO where she was Head of Sustainability. Prior to this she was Director of Corporate Responsibility at British Land where she was responsible for Group corporate responsibility policy, implementation and communication.

Before this Claudine was the Environment Manager at Honda (UK). Claudine is on the City Corporation Property Investment Board and was previously on the Board of Business in the Community (BITC) and the Mace Group Responsible Business Board and was Chair of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) from 2015-2017. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

12:35 - 12:55

The Four Unlocks of a Water Resilience Market

What will it take to build a functioning market for water resilience in the UK? This series of rapid-fire presentations explores the four core conditions required to unlock investment and large-scale delivery: funding models, coordinated catchment delivery, market infrastructure, and trusted systems for data and verification.

Unlock 1: Funding Models

Exploring the development of long-term, outcome-based funding models capable of supporting large-scale deployment beyond fragmented grants and short-term public funding cycles.

HARRY BOWELL

Director of Land and Nature, National Trust

Harry Bowell-1

Harry has been a key member of the National Trust’s Executive Team since 2018, serving first as Director of Operations and now as Director of Land and Nature. Over the years, he has held a range of senior roles within the Trust, including Assistant Director of Operations, and has led regional teams as Regional Director for both the Midlands and the North.

His deep understanding of conservation and land management has been integral to the Trust’s evolving approach to protecting nature across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Before joining the National Trust, Harry managed several RSPB reserves spanning the area between the Peak District and Scotland. For 10 years, he played a pivotal role in habitat restoration, species conservation, and the development of sustainable management practices. Prior to this, Harry worked as Reserves Manager at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, where he gained early experience in nature conservation and wetlands management.

A passionate environmentalist, Harry studied Environmental Science at the University of East Anglia and has become an expert in wetland design and management. His academic background and professional expertise have shaped his enduring belief in the importance of landscape-scale restoration. He is also a strong advocate for integrating nature back into urban spaces, recognising the profound impact that well-designed green areas can have on both wildlife and the well-being of local communities.

Harry’s commitment to conservation extends beyond his role at the National Trust. He has held numerous non-executive positions, including serving as Co-Chair of a Community Interest Company focused on revitalising wildlife habitats within Sheffield. This work has brought him closer to his goal of reconnecting people with nature in urban settings.

Living in Sheffield, Harry enjoys spending his free time exploring the nearby Peak District, whether through running, walking, or cycling. His connection to the natural world is both a professional pursuit and a personal passion, driving his ongoing efforts to create spaces where both people and wildlife can thrive.

CLAUDINE BLAMEY

Chief Sustainability Officer, Aviva and Chair, FloodAction Coalition

Claudine Blamey

Currently Chief Sustainability Officer at Aviva. Claudine was previously the Director of Sustainability and Digital Strategy at Argent LLP for 3 years.

Claudine delivered the net zero carbon flights strategy at easyJet in her role as Director of Sustainability. Prior to this she set up the Group sustainability function at Sainsbury’s covering sustainable sourcing, operational waste and community activity as well as group charitable partnerships and overall development of group wide sustainability strategy and implementation.

Claudine was responsible for the sustainability strategy for The Crown Estate’s business. Claudine joined from SEGRO where she was Head of Sustainability. Prior to this she was Director of Corporate Responsibility at British Land where she was responsible for Group corporate responsibility policy, implementation and communication.

Before this Claudine was the Environment Manager at Honda (UK). Claudine is on the City Corporation Property Investment Board and was previously on the Board of Business in the Community (BITC) and the Mace Group Responsible Business Board and was Chair of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) from 2015-2017. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

PAUL VAN ZYL

CEO and Co-Founder, The Conduit

11-1

Paul served as the Executive Secretary of South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Paul also co-founded the International Centre for Transitional Justice, an organization that works in over 40 countries that have endured massive human rights violations under repression conflict. Paul is also a co-founder and CEO of Maiyet, an ethical luxury fashion brand that cultivates traditional design and culture by partnering with global artisans. Most recently, Paul co-founded The Conduit, which serves as a home for those committed to improving the world by harnessing the power of creativity and entrepreneurship. The Conduit serves as a home for a diverse community of people passionate about social change.