Past-President Tony Cooke is our first HIWater.
Tony became a member within a few months of joining the industry as MD of Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water in 1991 and has been an active member of our South West Area Committee for over 15 years. Tony was Area President from 1997 to 2000 and was instrumental in ensuring the Annual Conference in Bournemouth in 1998 was both memorable and successful. Tony was elected National President in 2003 and chaired the Audit Committee from 2005 to 2007 after stepping down from our board of directors. During his 19 years at Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water Tony has played an influential role within the water industry and the Institute of Water. He retired on 9 April and vacated his role on our South West Area Committee in March but remains an active trustee of Utilities & Service Industries Training (USIT) and Senior Independent Director of Jersey Water. Tony’s achievements are too numerous to mention but there can be no doubt he has given and will continue to give exceptional service to the Institute of Water.
On learning of his award Tony said it would be an understatement to say he was surprised, humbled and honoured. Tony is sorry he won’t be in Belfast for this year’s Conference as he will be taking a post-retirement holiday in the Scottish Highlands. We wish Tony all the best on his retirement and will be thinking of Tony and Cheryl when we gather in Belfast.
