Sequana, a trusted consultancy specialising in water security and environmental management, has expanded its operations into the UK. With proven climate-resilient expertise forged in drought-prone Australia, Sequana brings decades of hands-on experience in delivering bold, innovative solutions to water scarcity. These lessons have been translated into a globally relevant model for water security, providing the UK with practical, climate-ready strategies when they are needed most.
“Sequana is not just another engineering consultant. We are the water security partner that water utilities can rely on,” said Mike Walsh, Sequana Chair. “From landmark desalination projects in Victoria, Perth, Sydney and Adelaide, which set international benchmarks in planning and delivery, we bring global best practice, delivered locally. Our track record equips us to support the UK as it faces intensifying climate change, regulatory scrutiny and rising community expectations.”
The UK faces escalating water pressures, with record drought and heat and a population expected to surpass 71 million by 2055, driving up demand as supplies come under strain. Regulators and utilities are working within complex frameworks while balancing environmental, community and affordability considerations, making proactive investment and resilience planning more important than ever. These converging pressures emphasise the urgent need for solutions that deliver both technical reliability and community confidence, reaffirming the need for the expertise that Sequana brings to the UK market.
EXPORTING AUSTRALIA’S CLIMATE-RESILIENT EXPERTISE
In Australia, Sequana has helped guide utilities and governments through decades of drought, climate extremes, and community challenges. This experience has shaped a model of water security that combines technical excellence, environmental responsibility and stakeholder trust. Sequana’s experts have led landmark projects such as the Victorian, Perth and Gold Coast desalination plants, which now secure water for millions of Australians, and have contributed to many others worldwide. Their water security specialists bring real-world delivery experience, not just theory, in planning, design and large-scale implementation.
LAUNCHING ITS UK PRESENCE
To lead its UK business, Sequana has appointed Darren Nabbs, an industry icon with more than 30 years of experience in water, wastewater and desalination. Darren is recognised for delivering complex programs while building trusted partnerships across industry, regulators and communities.
Sequana’s 100% success rate in guiding projects through approval gateways means it understands how to anticipate requirements, avoid delays and maintain regulator confidence. Just as importantly, its proven ability to secure social license in drought-impacted communities aligns with the UK’s growing emphasis on customer consultation and acceptance.
“As the UK faces its own water security challenges, we’re proud to bring the best of Australia and global practice to support utilities here,” Darren said. “Our mission is simple: to deliver water security that is climate-resilient, has social license, and is technically excellent.”
A PARTNER IN SOCIAL LICENSE AND COMMUNITY TRUST
From safeguarding coastal ecosystems to navigating regulatory frameworks, Sequana has consistently delivered infrastructure that balances technical performance with environmental and community outcomes. In Australia, the organisation has repeatedly won community backing for complex water projects, an approach that will be equally vital in the UK, where community consultation is now central to regulatory approval.
“When it comes to scaling up alternative water sources, social license will be just as critical as technical delivery,” Darren added. “Communities and regulators need confidence that projects will deliver long-term value. Sequana brings both engineering expertise and the proven ability to engage regulators, customers and communities, conditions that determine real-world success.”
WORLD-CLASS TEAM
With a team of 200 specialists, including internationally recognised leaders such as Mike Walsh, Frank Fisseler, Gary Crisp, Ivor Lee and Jean-Michel Seillier, Sequana brings unmatched technical, commercial, operational and governance expertise to the UK water sector.
Specialising in client-side advisory services for desalination and water security, Sequana operates as an extension of utility teams, providing strategic oversight, governance, risk management and delivery expertise. With a proven track record in delivering large-scale, privately financed plants under models such as DBFOM (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain), Sequana offers an integrated model that ensures consistency, accountability and faster outcomes from planning and approvals through to delivery and operations.
With Sequana’s expansion in the UK, water utilities and regulators will have a proven partner who can deliver the technical, environmental and community outcomes needed for long-term water security.
For more information, visit www.sequana.co.
