Tell us what being the Principal Policy and Programme Officer for the GLA looks like day to day?
My role sits at the intersection of policy, programme delivery, and partnership working – turning the Mayor’s priorities into tangible action. It means working closely with boroughs, regulators and key partners such as the Environment Agency and Thames Water, not only to shape ambitious policy, but to ensure it is delivered effectively on the ground.
At the moment, I’m working closely with the London Plan team to strengthen policy on water, flood risk and the future of our waterways, while ensuring climate resilience is fully embedded in place-making. Alongside this, I’m commissioning and interrogating evidence on climate risks and adaptation to inform decisions that will shape London for years to come.
I am finalising the Mayor’s Clean and Healthy Waterways Plan, drawing on over a year of collaboration with stakeholders to build consensus on the most pressing challenges and the actions needed over the next three years.
Ultimately, what drives me is the opportunity to help shape a more resilient, sustainable London, turning complex challenges into coordinated action that makes a real difference to the city and its communities.
Bathing water designation has traditionally been associated with coastal locations, what’s driving the push in London?
The Mayors commitment in his 3rd term to focus efforts on cleaning London’s waterways acknowledges the growing recognition that access to clean, usable blue space shouldn’t be limited to coastal areas. All Londoners should have safe access to clean rivers, lakes, and reservoirs for recreation, especially as climate change brings hotter summers.
Designation provides a clear regulatory framework and public transparency on where water quality is important, which can help drive improvements, although there is a perception that this automatically makes these spaces safe which needs to be addressed.
However, the Mayor’s Plan isn’t just about recreation, it’s about public health, environmental ambition and restoring nature and reimagining how Londoners interact with their waterways.
What are biggest barriers to achieving bathing water status in London?
The main barriers are the variety of different sources of pollution in London causing poor water quality.
Urban rivers are heavily impacted by diffuse pollution, misconnected drains, urban runoff including highways and sewage overflows. This creates a challenge of demonstrating consistent compliance with water quality standards, which is significantly harder in a dense urban catchment than in many coastal locations.
On top of that, coordinating across multiple landowners, organisations, and local authorities and complex legislation and roles and responsibilities adds layers of complexity.
What are the biggest pressure points for improving water quality in urban catchments?
The biggest pressure points are the lack of investment in nature-based solutions, which restore nature and capture run off in addition to grey solutions.
When heavy rainfall hits, London’s sewer system can still discharge untreated wastewater into rivers. At the same time, roads and hard surfaces channel pollutants – oil , litter, nutrients – directly into water bodies.
Climate change is intensifying both issues, with more frequent intense rainfall events putting additional strain on already stretched infrastructure.
Infrastructure vs behaviour. Are we focusing on the right one?
It’s absolutely both, and success depends on addressing them together.
Infrastructure investment is critical. Upgrades to sewer systems, but also green nature-based solutions like sustainable drainage, and better treatment capacity, and access to and along our waterways, all make a huge difference.
But behaviour matters too. Things like making sure people are aware of where their nearest river is and how to access it, and what they can do to help – the importance of wet wipe disposal, ensuring their drainage is connected to the foul sewer and not a surface water drain which flows into our rivers, or ensuring their driveway is permeable. Everyday pollution from washing cars, litter etc all contribute significantly.
There’s sometimes a tendency to prioritise large infrastructure, but without making sure our rivers are accessible and safe and welcoming places we won’t achieve sustained behaviour change, and we won’t fully realise those benefits. The most effective approach combines both.
Does designation risk being symbolic, or can it drive real change?
Whilst we have so few designations in London the risk is designation is symbolic, and the new Ham application on the River Thames is really raising awareness and the right conversations but wider sustained investment is needed to result in transformation, and the steps to widen designation to encompass all sorts of users is welcome.
Designation is a powerful catalyst. It creates legal obligations for monitoring, increases transparency, and builds public pressure for improvement. That combination can drive long-term change, particularly when it’s part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone goal.
How quickly could we see more designated bathing waters in London?
Realistically, progress will be incremental. The first step is likely to be targeted to improve access for recreation and designation may follow. However, there are lots of site looking at increasing access to blue spaces and some of these sites may move relatively quickly where conditions are already favourable, but others will require years of investment and improvement to meet standards.
So, we’re likely looking at a phased approach over years, based on collaboration by multiple organisations to improve sites rather than a rapid transformation across the entire city.
If the GLA’s plans succeed, what does that unlock next?
It opens up a much deeper relationship between Londoners and their waterways.
From a climate perspective, it strengthens the case for investing in green and blue infrastructure, like wetlands, river restoration, and sustainable drainage that support both water quality and resilience.
From a social perspective, it boosts public engagement, wellbeing, and stewardship. When people can safely use their rivers, they become more invested in protecting them. You can see this.
What drew you to your current role?
I was drawn to the opportunity to work at a city-wide scale on issues that have a real, tangible impact on people’s lives.
London is a complex system and being able to shape policy and programmes that improve the environment while supporting communities is hugely motivating. The role also offers that balance of strategic thinking and practical delivery, which I find particularly rewarding.
Showcasing and driving forward the fantastic and often world leading work done in London, gives me tremendous satisfaction.
How do you manage the pressures of working in a busy city?
Prioritisation and perspective are key. Not everything can be done at once, so it’s about focusing on where you can have the most impact.
Strong collaboration also helps . Working with capable colleagues and partners means challenges are shared and solutions are developed collectively.
And on a personal level, making time to step back – getting outside with the dog, going wild swimming (yes, I do swim in the Thames!) is essential to maintaining resilience in a high-paced environment.