Hydro secures UK experts for new global consultancy

1402 HYDRO International is launching a new engineering consultancy for flood risk assessment and stormwater management in the UK and worldwide. The consultancy’s UK work will respond to the growing need for expert technical support in both the public and private sectors following water and planning reforms.

Led by respected industry experts David Schofield and Alan Corner, who have joined Hydro to establish the new team, Hydro Consultancy will provide technical professional services, design and hydraulic modelling support to a range of clients from local authorities and developers, to landscape architects and operating bodies.

“The requirements of the Flood and Water Management Act, and changing planning laws are challenging engineers in the public and private sector alike at a time when budgetary constraints have never been tougher,” said Corner, the newly appointed associate director at Hydro Consultancy. “Hydro has responded by providing high-level engineering consultancy that can rival any in the UK, whilst offering a much more agile and value-for-money service.”

Hydro Consultancy’s services will encompass Flood Risk Management and Assessment, SuDS design and implementation, planning support, drainage design support for formal Water Company agreements, operating authority consents, BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments.

The consultancy team will retain an independent ‘arms-length’ stance, while calling on the depth of knowledge, experience and R&D resources of Hydro International’s global operations.

Both Corner and Schofield sit on 3518 British Water’s SuDs Focus Group, a leading UK forum for developing thinking on Sustainable Drainage and Flood Risk Management and are guest panelists on the Engineering Nature’s Way SuDS knowledge website.

Previously SuDS Knowledge Leader for the water business group of 2320 Halcrow worldwide, Corner has more than 28 years’ experience in urban drainage and sewerage design, flood risk assessment and Water Cycle Strategies. Schofield previously led the flood risk management team based at 1419 Arup’s Midlands Campus, and has 27 years of experience in infrastructure and water engineering, including masterplanning, analysing, designing and constructing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). He also has experience of working in local authority civil engineering and drainage departments.

The consultancy also includes experienced international senior engineer and hydraulic modelling expert Rodrigo Magno, who will be the team’s design and technical lead.