UK Water Industry: Preparing for AMP8
Meeting the UK’s growing water challenges with expert talent, sustainable solutions, and proven AMP delivery support since AMP4.
Verken Areas
Resourcing the UK water industry for AMP8
The UK water industry is entering AMP8 (2025–2030) at a critical turning point. Rising demand, climate pressures, and tougher environmental standards are placing unprecedented strain on utilities. All while the sector faces a severe shortage of skilled professionals.
By 2050, the UK could face a daily water shortfall of nearly 5 billion litres, driven by population growth and climate change. At the same time, utilities must deliver on Ofwat’s ambitious AMP8 targets, including major investment in resilience, leakage reduction, and water quality improvements such as phosphorus removal.
However, progress is being slowed by a lack of specialist skills across engineering, operations, and project delivery. Competition from other infrastructure sectors and an ageing workforce are compounding the challenge. Leaving many utilities struggling to resource key AMP8 programmes.
Against this backdrop, flexible resourcing and workforce planning have never been more important. The industry needs agile access to skilled talent and long-term strategies to attract and retain the people who will deliver the next generation of water infrastructure.
Option A / NEC3
AMP frameworks demand speed, precision, and compliance. We provide commercial, contracts, and planning specialists who help manage risk and deliver value under NEC3 and Option A conditions.
Our experienced project and engineering professionals take ownership of Option A and NEC3 packages, managing the full scope of delivery so you can focus on other parts of the programme.
We provide teams who understand the commercial mechanics, technical requirements, and governance that underpin these contracts ensuring projects are delivered on time, to budget, and in full compliance.
Civil and Process Engineering
Whether through consultancy insight, permanent recruitment, or agile contract staffing, Shirley Parsons ensures every framework runs efficiently and transparently.
From reservoirs and treatment works to SuDS and chemical dosing facilities, your engineering teams need the right expertise at the right time.
We source civil, mechanical, and process engineers with deep AMP experience, supported by consultants who optimise design, operation, and sustainability performance.
Whether you need project-ready contractors or permanent engineering talent, we help you keep delivery safe, compliant, and efficient.
EICA and Digital Infrastructure
Automation and control are transforming the water industry — and AMP8 demands smarter, data-driven operations.
From ICA engineers and SCADA engineers to commissioning leads, we deliver the specialists who power modern water networks. Our consultants help clients digitalise processes, enhance safety, and improve efficiency, while our recruitment and staffing services provide rapid access to proven EICA engineers.
Shirley Parsons’ EICA engineers combine electrical, instrumentation, and automation expertise with deep understanding of AMP frameworks, delivering projects that are connected, compliant, and future-ready.
Design & Technical Team
Every successful project starts with great design. Our dedicated design and technical team brings precision and practicality to every stage — from concept to detailed design and as-built documentation.
We provide design engineers, CAD and BIM specialists, and technical coordinators who work seamlessly across disciplines to reduce rework, improve collaboration, and accelerate delivery.
By combining design expertise with AMP experience, we help clients move from feasibility, buildability to delivery with confidence and clarity.
SP Engineering Consultancy is a specialist engineering division of Shirley Parsons, delivering multi-disciplinary design solutions across pipeline, water, and infrastructure projects. Operating in regulated environments, the team combines technical engineering expertise with a flexible, delivery-focused model to support clients from feasibility through to construction. To learn more about our engineering capabilities, visit our website below.
How we support the water industry.
Option A / NEC 3
Our experienced engineers provide strategic and hands-on support to help culture transformation and compliance frameworks to net-zero planning.
Recruitment
We find and secure the permanent talent that drives long-term success. Our specialist recruiters source professionals with the exact technical expertise, cultural fit, and AMP experience you need.
Personeel op contractbasis
We quickly connect you with qualified professionals for project-critical roles, keeping you on schedule, on budget, and fully compliant across every phase of delivery.
Secondments
Sometimes the best solution isn’t outsourcing or short-term support, it’s bringing specialist expertise directly into your organisation. Through secondments, embeds experienced professionals within your teams for the duration of a project or programme.
Trusted By
Group HSES Director at Lloyd's Register
VP of HSE & Quality at Matrix North American Construction
Directeur Personeelszaken bij Interserve Groep
Henrik Blaabjerg, productieleider
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