Speakers announced for ADA Flood & Water Conference 2026

Plans are well underway for this year’s ADA Flood & Water Conference & Exhibition 2026. The event will take place on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at One Great George Street, Westminster, London. Bookings are now open, with an Early Bird discount available for a limited time for ADA member organisations.

Kindly sponsored by Balfour Beatty Plc, DXB Pump & Power and Wilkin Chapman Rollits, this year’s conference will once again bring together delegates from across the flood and water level management industry, including the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards, local authorities, regional flood and coastal committees, Natural Resources Wales, and many suppliers to the sector.

We are delighted to announce an exciting programme of prominent political, policy, and technical speakers who have agreed their attendance.

Robbie Moore MP, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Robbie has been the member of parliament for Keighley and Ilkley, formerly Keighley, in West Yorkshire since the 2019 general election. With a background in business and local government, and as a prominent voice on flooding, ADA welcomes Robbie’s insights on flood resilience, future maintenance funding, and reform of flood and water governance. Prior to the general election in July 2024, Robbie was the Defra Floods Minister and played a significant part in the conceiving of IDB recovery funding after the 2023/24 winter storms.  
 
Gavin Lane, President, CLA
A Norfolk farmer and rural business leader, Gavin will offer the CLA’s perspective on the important role of river and water management, exploring the case for greater local involvement in delivering more effective flood resilience, environmental enhancement and catchment outcomes, and strengthening local decision-making. 
  
   
   
    
 
  
  
Angela Jones, Director of Thriving Places, Westmoreland & Furness Council
Angela has worked in a mixture of unitary and county councils, across the North West and Wales and has senior leadership experience across place-based services including Economic Development, Highways and Transport, Flood Risk Management, Climate and Nature, Planning, Waste, and Community Services. Angela is the immediate past President of ADEPT, the national membership body for local authority place directors and their teams. Angela will be highlighting the importance of catchment-wide water management and maintenance, drawing on both national and local experience of both.

William Harrington, Rural Flood Risk Team, Defra
Will is a key point of contact for ADA within Defra and has played a significant role with the rest of the Defra team in building a strong working relationship. He leads work on land drainage and IDBs, watercourse management and maintenance, including riparian responsibilities, nature-based solutions, and natural flood management, agricultural flood risk, and flood defence casework. Will is expected to provide the audience with upto-date strategic and policy news and views from Defra.
 
  
  

How to book

To book delegate places please follow the link to our Eventbrite page via www.ada.org.uk/ada-conference

• Discounted Early Bird Tickets for ADA Members – £150+VAT are available for a limited time (Full price £170+VAT)
• Non Member Tickets – £255+VAT
• Student Tickets – A limited number of FREE tickets are available by invitation to students enrolled and studying on a relevant flood or water management degree programme.

Innovation Exhibition

The event will open with our Innovation Exhibition in the Great Hall offering the opportunity for attendees to connect with suppliers of products and services to the sector and network with contacts old and new.

A buffet lunch will be served from 12.00 before the conference presentations commence at 12.45. Further time for networking will be available during the afternoon refreshments break (14.20 – 15.00) before the Conference closes at 16.00.
Exhibition stands are now fully booked for Associate Members. Exhibitors are entitled to one complimentary ticket for a representative to staff their stand.

Any queries

Should you have any queries about the ADA Flood & Water Conference 2026, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Heather Bailey, ADA Marketing & Events Officer on heather.bailey@ada.org.uk

---