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People & Opinion Utility Week community UTILITY WEEK | 3RD - 9TH JUNE 2016 | 7 "As the old saying goes, 'where there's muck, there's brass'. We think there is something in that idea. The trading of bioresources could be a real breakthrough" Cathryn Ross, chief executive, Ofwat, on the major reforms unveiled in the regulator's Water 2020 plans to help boost resilience and secure a better deal for water customers, the environment and wider society. New chairman for Horizon Nuclear Power Horizon Nuclear Power, the com- pany behind the proposed Wylfa Newydd new nuclear plant on Anglesey, has appointed Masahide Tanigaki as its new chairman. Tanigaki has worked for the com- pany's Japanese owner – Hitachi – since 1975 and served as senior vice president and executive officer at the conglomerate up until April 2014. He will replace Tatsuro Ishizuka who is set to become chairman of the Hitachi Research Institute after stepping down at the end of June. Ishizuka served as a board director at Horizon from 2012 until 2014 before rejoining as chairman in April 2015. Horizon chief executive Duncan Hawthorne said: "Mr Ishizuka has been closely involved with Horizon since Hitachi acquired the com- pany. We'd like to thank him for his strong support and wish him all the best in his new role." Wessex top jobs Wessex Water Services has appointed Andy Pymer as its new managing director and chief operating officer. Pymer is currently direc- tor of regulation and customer services. James Rider, currently director of operations, will become chief operating officer. Pymer and Rider will start in their new roles from 1 August 2016. EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS This week we profile Jo Lamont, a scientist with WRc and one of the Institute of Water's Rising Stars of 2016. What was your first job? My first paid job was working in a Cornish pasty shop while I did my A-levels, which is ironic considering I can't eat gluten. My first career job is the one I currently have. How did you come to join your company? I joined through the graduate programme as a scientist aer completing my degree in phys- ics from the University of Not- tingham. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do when I gradu- ated, I just knew I didn't want to do a PhD and I wanted my work to have a purpose. WRc offered diversity of work top- ics in the utility industry and represented a chance for me to make a positive impact. This is what drew me into applying. Rising Stars Jo Lamont, scientist, WRc How long have you been with them? Just over one and a half years. What has been your best achievement since joining? I think my best achievement has been gaining the trust and respect of the senior members of staff. This has opened up many doors and enabled me to have many experiences. To know that my opinion is valued at such an early stage is my career is a great personal achievement. What preconception about your company did you find was most wrong? I never thought that I would get so many opportunities so soon aer starting. Within months I was leading technical elements of projects, running steering group meetings and organising supplier demonstrations. The matrix management system at WRc allows me to work at a high and low level in projects, max- imising the use of my natural skills while still allowing me to improve in areas where I am less confident. Who would play you in the film of your life? When I asked people this ques- tion, the answers I received were Katee Sackhoff and Jennifer Law- rence. I was quite pleased. What's your favourite film and TV programme? Film: A Prayer for the Dying. TV programme: Tattoo Fixers. I love laughing at the ridiculous tattoos people get and the way they are turned into works of art. Nothing picks me up more at the end of a stressful day. What would you do if you ruled the world? This is difficult to answer with- out coming across as an evil dictator in someone's eyes, but I would probably make smok- ing illegal. What's your favourite joke? There are two muffins baking in the oven. One says to the other: "Man, it's hot in here!" The other responds: "Holy crap, a talking muffin!" Do you have a message for the industry? Innovation is constantly men- tioned in the water industry as the way to new and exciting ideas and technology which promises to improve both profitability and customer ser- vice. However, the pressure to provide a near flawless service inhibits the adoption of inno- vation. We need to be bolder with adopting new solutions in order to gain the benefits they offer and to encourage the next level of innovation. Find out more about the Institute of Water's Rising Stars programme at: www.institureofwater.org. uk/rising-stars