Presidential blog: Reflections from the out-going Junior President

Emily Clarke’s background bridges the flood risk management and water industry sectors. She has an expert understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders and the policies and legislations that underpin the sector’s work - and represents the flood risk management and water industry sectors on numerous special interest, policy and project advisory panels and committees.

Working for many different types of Flood Risk Management Authorities, starting her career at the Environment Agency, followed by working for Cambridgeshire’s Lead Local Flood Authority, and then spending five years in the water industry at Anglian Water and Water UK, before joining Binnies consultancy. Along the way, she has volunteered her time to Diversity and Inclusion initiatives such as: raising awareness of neurodiversity, Women in FCERM, and has held several CIWEM voluntary committee roles.

Emily served as Junior President Elect from 2022 to 2023, before entering her term as the CIWEM Junior President in 2023 through to 2024. We sat down to ask her some questions on her time with the CIWEM Presidential Team.

How did you get involved in the Presidential team?

I had been volunteering my time with CIWEM for a number of years including being part of the East Anglian Branch committee and the Flood and Coastal Specialist Panel. I became aware of the role when Matthew Jack became the first Junior President, I reached out to him and asked more about the role, what it entailed, and how he was finding it. He had nothing but great things to say about the experience and the role fit well with my career development aspirations, so I knew right then that I’d like to become a future Junior President.

At this point, Emily Shipton had been named the second Junior President and I had the opportunity to work alongside her in her term to learn more about how CIWEM operates and is governed. I also reached out to Bushra to talk about her Presidential theme to see if that was something I’d be able to add value to. She shared her plans for the theme “connecting a community inclusive and accessible for all” which really resonated with me and my values. This made me even more determined to become Junior President!

When the opportunity to apply for the role arose, I jumped at the chance and submitted my application. I think my enthusiasm for our sector and my passion for CIWEM shone through in my application and interview, and I was ecstatic when I heard I had been successful.

I didn’t have a year run up as Junior President Elect, but my CIWEM volunteer roles had given me an excellent understanding of the organisation – our aims, objectives and values, and this enabled me to hit the ground running. Both Emily and Matthew have been a great support to me running up to and during my Junior President term, and I hope to pay this forward to support Peter during his.

Highlights

Over the last year I've had the opportunity to give numerous speeches, write articles and represent CIWEM and our members at various events but my biggest highlights include:

  • I got to open day 2 of the Urban Drainage Group conference to around 300 professionals from across the water sector. I shared my thoughts on our Presidential theme: “Connecting a community inclusive and accessible for all”, and why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is particularly close to my heart. I’ve faced some challenges in my career being a young female working in a male dominated industry. I am delighted to have formed the first all-female Presidential duo with Bushra Hussain and I highlighted this to the audience to elevate female leadership in our sector, hoping to inspire other emerging leaders. I truly believe that amplifying the voices of all genders and all abilities in our industry can give us fresh new perspectives, and the ideas and innovations that we so desperately need.
  • I was honoured to be invited to attend the Belfast Branch annual dinner to represent the CIWEM Presidential team. The Chair talked about the amazing work they’ve done over the past year, and recognised key individuals for their contributions and hard work. I also listened to Alastair Chisholm share an update about CIWEM’s ‘A Fresh Water Future’ work. I then got to give a short speech about our Presidential theme and challenged the audience to consider how they could support those around them who are earlier on in their careers. I asked the audience to consider what they can do to provide opportunities and sponsorship for others to share with them the skills, experiences and exposure they have access to.
  • I got to work closely with the Early Careers Network and help them to refine the early careers offering at Flood and Coast. I’ve loved connecting with and talking to many of our early career professionals through conferences, events and LinkedIn. I was also honoured to be asked by Wavin to Chair a roundtable discussion for our early careers members at the London Sky Garden focussed on ‘Building Urban Climate Resilience’. I have been utterly inspired by our Early Careers members and feel heartened that our sector is in safe hands with these future leaders.