Team: UK

Polly joined WSUP as Head of Partnerships and Communications in June 2022. She has over twenty years of experience in non-profit communication with the international humanitarian agency Médecins Sans Frontières, including eight years as Director of Communications for MSF UK & Ireland.

Since leaving the humanitarian aid world in 2017 she has been working in the waste and recycling sector, both in the UK and overseas, managing communications projects from Camden to Congo. This has given her exposure to stakeholders and sectors highly relevant to WSUP’s work including service delivery, the private sector, the non-profit world, and public education. She has a track record of leading successful behavioural change campaigns as well as managing high profile media issues, and securing project funding.

Ed joined WSUP as CEO in June 2022. Previously, he was a Director at Pennon Group, the owners of South West Water, Bournemouth Water, Bristol Water, and Viridor, and Executive Director of Environment and Business at the Environment Agency for nearly a decade. He was also the Director of Environment and Corporate Responsibility at Thames Water. Ed holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Water and Wastewater Engineering from Cranfield University and was previously involved with WSUP as a non-executive director following its foundation in 2005.

Tara has been with WSUP since 2019, and currently heads the Global Programmes Team working closely with WSUP’s country teams providing advice and guidance on projects including design, implementation and reporting, alongside the Project Controllers in her team.

Following an MSc at Cranfield University in Community Water and Sanitation, Tara went on to spend 9 years overseas as a WASH Project Manager, WASH Advisor, and Emergency Director with multiple NGOs including ACF and Concern Worldwide in both humanitarian response and international development settings, in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. Tara also spent 4 years working in Environmental Regulation with the UK Environment Agency.

Lesley joined WSUP in February 2021. Her role is to strengthen strategic partnerships with a focus on trusts and foundations. She has over 13 years of experience in international development including three years based in East Africa.

Before joining WSUP, Lesley worked as Senior Programme Coordinator for Africa Educational Trust managing a portfolio of complex projects in East and Horn of Africa. She holds an MSc in Environmental Resource Management and Development from the University of Wales, Swansea.

Zeeshan joined WSUP in November 2020. His role is to support the global funding strategy by managing existing and building new institutional funding partnerships. He has over 7 years of experience working with INGOs within International Development.

Prior to WSUP, he worked as Programmes Partnerships Manager at Muslim Aid where he was responsible for managing a large portfolio of complex projects within the Middle East region. He holds a BA in Economics and Development Studies from SOAS University of London.

Emma joined WSUP in January 2021 bringing with her more than 20 years’ fundraising experience in the health and disability sectors, including over 12 years focused on international development.

A new business specialist, Emma joined from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) where for 7 years she led the management of global partnerships with foundations and created new income streams from the private sector focusing on the needs of workers in global supply chains, to fund health services, advocacy, and social and behaviour change communications. Prior to IPPF, she worked for Leonard Cheshire Disability, Whizz-Kidz and the NHS, and was in advertising sales before her move into the charity sector.

Anzo is responsible for the strategic development of WSUP’s global finance function, providing strategic support to the CEO and SMT and input to the Board, Finance and Audit Committees, and WSUP subsidiaries. Anzo ensures the group’s financial systems are robust, legally compliant and support current activities and future growth plans.

A law graduate and fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA), Anzo began her career in audit, finance and tax at Milne Ross and KPMG then moved into senior finance roles in industry and commerce, including housing, property, retail, energy consulting, education, business membership organisations and international development.

Anzo joined WSUP in February 2020 and brings a wealth of commercial, financial and legal expertise and insight to WSUP’s senior leadership team.

Rosemary is Head of Water with WSUP’s Innovation and Consumer Needs team. She brings 28 years of experience from the water industry, including 20 years at Veolia Water and Mott MacDonald with a variety of executive roles.

She has built strong experience in countries including the US, Rwanda, Eastern Sudan, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia. Her expertise ranges from technical management, private sector participation, behaviour change, to utility business development in the water sector.