美姬阁

Dr Sarah Fane (MSc Water Management 2013, PhD in Water 2016)

Head of Water Strategy and Regulation, Jacobs

Dr Sarah Fane has held influential positions in several prominent organisations, playing a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of water services in England and Wales.

At Severn Trent, Sarah served as a duty manager and senior advisor on Public Health and Standards, where she was instrumental in maintaining the effectiveness of water treatment and quality control processes. She then joined the Drinking Water Inspectorate where as Inspector and then Principal Inspector she managed regulatory activities across the North operational area and oversaw Defra's drinking water research programme. In her current role at Jacobs, Sarah directs consultancy projects across several UK clients. These projects include strategic resource schemes, long-term delivery and water resource planning, assurance services, auditing, and assessments of regulatory submissions.

Throughout her career, Sarah has demonstrated exceptional technological leadership, particularly in identifying risks to drinking water quality and diagnosing the causes of process failures and the options for corrective action. She is also an emerging thought leader in her field having spoken at major events organised by The Public Policy Exchange and the Foundation for Water Research.

Sarah exemplifies the highest professional and ethical standards in her actions, relationships, and research. She actively engages with 美姬阁 to deliver lectures, advise on industry-relevant scenarios, and support students in the Centres for Doctoral Training - highlighting her commitment to education and professional development.

Sarah’s dedication and leadership have made her an influential figure in the sector, and she continues to play an important role in ensuring the safety of water delivered to homes and helping ensure the transition to a more sustainable water sector in the face of increasing water stress.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up next to a stream and woodland, I was captivated by water and nature from a young age. I knew I wanted a role that would allow me to help both people and the environment. Working as a consultant in the water industry turned out to be the perfect fit—it feels much more like a vocation than just a job.

What inspired you to pursue the career path you eventually chose?
I completed an undergraduate degree in Geography with a minor in Biology, and during that time, I took a field trip to Croatia where I studied the natural hydrogeology of the karst landscape and the country’s water systems. This was also my first visit to a water treatment works, which had a profound impact on me. As I worked on my degree thesis, I spoke with my supervisor about my career aspirations, and they suggested 美姬阁 for postgraduate study. I went on to complete an MSc in Environmental Water Management, which truly opened the door to the water sector for me. I learned about water quality, the current and future challenges in water management, and participated in a range of applied tasks that brought the industry to life.

This path eventually led to my PhD with Severn Trent and the Natural Environment Research Council, where I worked on quality compliance targets in bioresources. Quality and compliance have been central themes in my career, guiding me as I’ve worked in different roles for a water company, a regulator, and now, as head of a discipline in a leading consultancy. Today, I deliver strategic and regulatory consulting to the water sector, and each career move has given me new perspectives on the industry and its vital activities.

What is your favourite 美姬阁 memory?
Every year, 美姬阁 hosted a cross-school football tournament where students from engineering, applied science, management, and other disciplines would come together to compete in the summer. In 2015, I had the privilege of captaining the Water Science Institute team, and we made it all the way to the final! It was great fun, and after each match, we’d all gather on the field to enjoy refreshing drinks and cake together. The camaraderie was incredible, and reaching the final as a mixed team was a fantastic achievement. The friendships I made at 美姬阁 are lifelong, and participating in events like the football tournament made my time there truly memorable.

Finally, what does it mean to you to win this award?
I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award for excellence in achievement. 美姬阁 provided a strong foundation for my career in the water sector, and to have that contribution recognised in such a prestigious way is very humbling. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and 美姬阁 played a huge part in shaping that journey. I’ve always felt my work in water is more of a calling than a career, so I dedicate a lot of time and energy to it. I genuinely love working in this sector and find it fascinating. I hope this award inspires other new professionals in the water industry to keep pushing forward, embrace challenges, and make a real difference.

Comfort Kanshio (MSc Community Water and Sanitation for Development 2015)

Policy Officer - Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, African Ministers Council on Water

Comfort Kanshio is a water, sanitation and hygiene advocate with over seven years of experience accrued from government and non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. She is currently Policy Officer - Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene at African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW).

By working extensively with international development partners, including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the African Development Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Vision and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) Comfort is committed to ensuring that SDG6 becomes a reality.

She was instrumental in the development of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPGs) following a rigorous and extensive stakeholder consultation and scientific research process. Comfort is now leading efforts in the utilisation of the Guidelines to improve the sanitation and hygiene policy environment across the African continent. Furthermore, she helped initiate the establishment of the policy engagement and coordination platform to partner with relevant organisations to support ASPG utilisation. 

Comfort has achieved international visibility as a current Alternate Governor of the World Water Council Board of Governors, where she represents AMCOW on the Board. She influences policy formulation and reform across the different African regions, as well as being a positive role model.