Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Lara Edwards

Worcester,Worcestershire

Summary

Chartered Process Engineer and Associate Director with 20+ years’ international experience in the water, wastewater, and industrial reuse sectors. Proven leader of multidisciplinary teams delivering sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, and innovative process solutions. Strong expertise in process selection, supply chain delivery, and operations troubleshooting, with a track record of ensuring reliable, compliant, and efficient utility infrastructure.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work history

Associate Director

WSP
Birmingham
03.2025 - Current

Led process design delivery for AMP8 frameworks, driving innovation and adoption of digital tools.
Supported supply chain strategy to enhance process selection for advanced treatment infrastructure.

Senior Engineering and process design manager

Veolia UK
Remote
10.2023 - 03.2025
  • Managed engineering and process design team delivering >£30M in water/wastewater projects.
  • Developed standardised procedures and workflows, improving design efficiency by more than 20%.
  • Coordinated with suppliers and contractors to deliver complex treatment systems, ensuring cost, quality, and schedule alignment.
  • Led process selection strategies balancing technical, operational, and commercial considerations.
  • Instituted a culture of continuous learning within the team, fostered creativity and innovation.

Technical manager

Veolia UK
Remote
09.2019 - 10.2023
  • Directed industrial water projects (distilleries, dairies, energy facilities) with contracts up to £50M.
  • Collaborated closely with the supply chain, selecting and procuring major treatment equipment.
  • Delivered troubleshooting and optimisation support to operational plants, reducing OPEX by 10–15%.
  • Developed new service offerings, expanding Veolia’s industrial water business.
  • Prioritised tasks according to business needs, maximised team output.

Senior process engineer

Veolia UK
Remote
06.2018 - 09.2019
  • Provided governance for industrial projects ensuring process performance obligations were met.
  • Led audits and troubleshooting studies of operating industrial water treatment plants.
  • Guided process selection during design and procurement phases.
  • Designed complex engineering solutions to overcome operational challenges.

Senior process engineer

Aquabio
Worcester, Worcestershire
06.2014 - 06.2018
  • Designed and delivered wastewater reuse plants (up to 95% recovery).
  • Developed PFDs, P&IDs, hydraulic/process calculations, specifications, and DSEAR assessments.
  • Managed equipment procurement and supplier coordination during design and construction.
  • Supported commissioning and troubleshooting of new treatment facilities.
  • Reviewed technical documents for accuracy and completeness.

Process engineer

Veolia water technologies
Birmingham
01.2008 - 06.2014
  • Developed process designs for municipal and industrial water treatment projects.
  • Supported business development through bid presentations and client meetings.
  • Verified equipment compliance, supporting the purchasing department during supplier selection.
  • Conducted troubleshooting and operational support for existing treatment facilities.

Process engineer

Lenntech
Delft, The Netherlands
03.2005 - 12.2006
  • Developed treatment proposals and coordinated supply chain for industrial clients.
  • Delivered customised water treatment systems through supplier engagement and specification

Education

Master of Science - by Research - Water

Cranfield University
Cranfield
01/2007 - 01/2008

Research Fellow

Technical University of Delft
The Netherlands
09/2003 - 11/2004

Master of Engineering - Environmental Engineering

Università degli Studi di Trieste
Italy
09/1996 - 07/2003

Skills

  • Programme & Project Leadership – delivering £50M water sector frameworks and industrial treatment projects
  • Technical Expertise – water & wastewater treatment, industrial reuse, sludge/biogas, process simulation (BioWin, SUMO)
  • Process Selection & Design – selecting optimal treatment processes, equipment, and technologies based on client and regulatory needs
  • Supply Chain & Vendor Management – specifying, procuring, and managing delivery of treatment equipment and infrastructure in collaboration with global suppliers
  • Operations & Troubleshooting – conducting audits, performance assessments, and resolving operational issues at industrial water treatment plants
  • Stakeholder Management – cross-discipline collaboration, client engagement, and global project delivery
  • Governance & Compliance – DSEAR, HAC, HAZOP, WRc, WIMES, UKWIR, ISO standards
  • Leadership – team building, mentoring, knowledge transfer, Women in Engineering Society member, STEM Ambassador

Affiliations

  • Digital Innovation | Sustainability | Supply Chain & Operations | Mentoring Women in STEM | Fitness |

Certification

  • Chartered Engineer (CEng, Engineering Council) – Nov 2014
  • Member, CIWEM (MCIWEM, C.WEM) – Nov 2014
  • IOSH Managing Safely – Sep 2019
  • STEM Ambassador – Jan 2019
  • Member, Women in Engineering Society – Sep 2021
  • Women in Leadership International (Veolia Internal Programme) – Dec 2023

Languages

English
Native
Italian
Native

Timeline

Associate Director

WSP
03.2025 - Current

Senior Engineering and process design manager

Veolia UK
10.2023 - 03.2025

Technical manager

Veolia UK
09.2019 - 10.2023

Senior process engineer

Veolia UK
06.2018 - 09.2019

Senior process engineer

Aquabio
06.2014 - 06.2018

Process engineer

Veolia water technologies
01.2008 - 06.2014

Process engineer

Lenntech
03.2005 - 12.2006

Master of Science - by Research - Water

Cranfield University
01/2007 - 01/2008

Research Fellow

Technical University of Delft
09/2003 - 11/2004

Master of Engineering - Environmental Engineering

Università degli Studi di Trieste
09/1996 - 07/2003
Lara Edwards