As it launches its largest-ever investment programme, valued at £11 billion, Anglian Water has announced the renewal of its five-year contract with the Integrated Operational Solutions (IOS) Alliance. This agreement extends a successful 10-year partnership with Barhale, Kier, and M Group.
The IOS Alliance delivers expertise for a wide range of specialised and complex projects across water and water recycling. Under the new contract, IOS is expected to deliver around £400 million in investment, supporting activities from mains laying and critical maintenance to the construction of essential infrastructure like pumping stations.
This partnership plays a key role in Anglian Water’s 2025–2030 business plan—its most ambitious to date and nearly double the scale of the previous five-year cycle. By the end of the decade, Anglian Water aims to:
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Double its environmental investment
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Replace more than 1,000 km of water mains
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Complete its strategic water grid
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Begin construction of two new reservoirs
These efforts will generate employment, stimulate the local economy, and help the East of England—home to the UK’s four fastest-growing cities: Milton Keynes, Northampton, Peterborough, and Cambridge—prepare for an anticipated population increase of over 720,000 in the next 20 years. The plan also addresses the mounting challenges posed by climate change and regional water security.
As an integrated alliance, IOS operates under a unified commercial framework, enabling seamless collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and access to the right technical expertise for every challenge. This approach ensures top-tier operational solutions for both the environment and Anglian Water’s customers.
Melissa Reynard, IOS Delivery Director at Anglian Water, stated:
“As we move into our next business period—our most ambitious yet—we’re pleased to strengthen our IOS Alliance with our long-term partners Barhale, Kier, and M Group. Our alliancing model is recognised across the industry as a benchmark for collaboration and delivery. By bringing together the best talent from across our partners, we’re ready to tackle the toughest operational challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for our region and customers.”
Joe Solomon, Regional Director (Eastern) at Barhale, commented:
“We’re excited to extend our strategic partnership with Anglian Water into AMP8. Our team takes great pride in the relationships we’ve built over the past decade and we look forward to contributing to the region’s largest-ever water investment programme—bringing our full capabilities in design, infrastructure, and innovation to the table.”
Andy Lingham, Managing Director of Water at Kier, added:
“We’re proud to continue our decade-long collaboration with Anglian Water. This renewed commitment demonstrates the strength of our partnership and our shared ambition to deliver smarter, more sustainable water infrastructure. Together, we’re not just completing projects—we’re building a resilient future for the communities we serve.”
Murray Powell, Contract Director at M Group, said:
“Having been part of the IOS Alliance since 2015, we’re proud to continue supporting Anglian Water into AMP8. As the industry focuses on protecting the environment and ensuring resilient supply, Anglian Water’s embedded alliance model sets the benchmark for innovation and delivery. M Group is committed to supporting this vision by delivering efficient and effective Water Capital Maintenance services over the next five years and beyond.”