SYSTRA Water provides world-leading specialist engineering and consultancy services that support a nature positive and climate resilient future. SYSTRA has more than 1,000 employees throughout the UK & Ireland, and nearly 11,000 globally. With more than 100 environmental specialists, SYSTRA is well-placed to support both the public and private sector’s climate, flooding and water pollution commitments.
An engineer with more than 25 years of experience leading and managing challenging environmental
projects, Marc says climate change is impacting faster than we had ever anticipated. “Thirty years ago we were talking about the impact of acid rain, today it’s about our massive average rainfall increases which are causing regular flooding events and devastating property, livelihoods and natural habitats – right here in the UK.
These floods are not only an issue in themselves, but have repercussions in wastewater treatment and the quality of our rivers and seas as well.
Marc is leading some of the first overflow sewer designs to address The Environment Act 2021 requirements for the water sector. The Act requires water companies to continuously monitor the quality of the water upstream and downstream of their treatment assets to allow meaningful assessments on relevant local watercourses. With severe weather events happening more regularly, water companies are increasingly in the spotlight to make improvements and protect our built and natural environments. Marc is keen to point out that “it is not only important, but necessary for wastewater infrastructure to be fit for purpose.”

Marc’s team is also currently delivering several complex water management solutions for the HS2 route near Birmingham, part of the Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture contract in which SYSTRA is lead designer. Specifically, the HS2 route meant diverting parts of local rivers in Warwickshire at Water Orton and improving the riverbanks and wetland biodiversity.
Marc is optimistic about the future, pointing out that “the climate challenge is huge, but the rewards are bigger still.” His experience of working in both the public and private sectors mean that he instinctively sees the benefits each can bring towards delivering on climate change.
Marc is an advocate of supplementing public funding with private sector investment which he says “will act as a catalyst to innovation and bring about new tech including AI to improve practice.
“Private sector involvement can help spread the risks associated with climate change, adaptation, and mitigation measures. By diversifying ownership and responsibility, the burden of addressing climate-related challenges can be shared more effectively.”
SYSTRA offers a one-stop environmental service, encompassing advice, design and engineering support for sustainable transport, infrastructure and development projects in many sectors.
Our environment and sustainability experts work in partnership with clients and wider project teams to deliver high-quality, innovative and responsive solutions to meet specific environmental challenges and project priorities. We take responsibility for managing environmental risks and developing and implementing sustainable solutions on projects ranging from high-speed rail infrastructure and urban
mobility schemes to flood resilience, energy-from-waste facilities and clean air initiatives.