12 October 2026
Media Release
Pictured below are Professors Martin Tillotson and Joseph Holden, Directors of water@leeds
Representatives from the water, marine and maritime sectors from across the UK and Ireland are coming together for the first event of its kind in Leeds to tackle Europe’s most urgent water-related challenges.
West Yorkshire’s Mayor Tracy Brabin will be welcoming delegates to the event – ‘Knowledge in Flow: Connecting Education, Knowledge and Talent to Drive Water Innovation and Resilience’ – hosted by water@leeds to help ensure employees have the relevant skills and knowledge needed to come up with innovation and business solutions to tackle Europe’s water crisis.
EIT Water is the new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to water, marine and maritime systems, funded by the EIT – European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
water@leeds at University of Leeds is the new home for the UK and Ireland EIT Water headquarters – one of eight centres located across Europe, known as a Regional Hub, set up to drive innovation across this sector and ecosystems.
The event will explore gaps in skills and knowledge within the sectors, share insights and identify opportunities. It will also highlight practical solutions, create space for collaboration and support the development of innovative ideas that can scale up across regions.
It is being held on Tuesday 20 October, 9am – 4pm, at Horizon Leeds, 3rd Floor, 2 Brewery Wharf, Kendell Street, Leeds LS10 1JR. To register email: [email protected]
“We are really excited about holding our first event. EIT Water will bring together organisations from business, government and its agencies, research and education to drive innovative ways of tackling challenges such as water scarcity, drought and flooding, pollution and ecosystem degradation in oceans, lakes and rivers and enabling the shift to a circular and blue economy.” Martin Tillotson, Director of water@leeds and Professor of Water Management at University of Leeds
Pressure on water resources is intensifying – from climate impacts to ageing infrastructure and rising industrial demand. Yet innovation in the water sector remains fragmented, underfunded and often disconnected from those it needs to influence most. Professor Joseph Holden, Director of water@leeds and Professor of Physical Geography at University of Leeds,
He added: “The challenge ahead is significant, but so is the opportunity to transform knowledge, talent and entrepreneurship into solutions that strengthen resilience and support economic and social wellbeing.
“We need to innovate and develop stronger collaborations connecting researchers, start-ups, industry, non-government organisations and public agencies and municipalities to turn knowledge into real solutions.
“This is a great opportunity to engage with EIT Water and help us begin to solve complex challenges, meet future collaborators, and contribute to a more resilient water ecosystem.”
This event, co-funded by the European Union, is part of EIT Water’s mission to accelerate innovation and business creation across Europe’s water, marine and maritime sectors.
It will bring together current and prospective EIT Water members to focus on shaping the future of Europe’s water sector through:
- Research and Innovation
- Business Creation
- Education and Skills.
