Connecting innovation with delivery – Cappagh Browne Innovation Day 2026

Opening the day, Cappagh Browne Managing Director Jeff Birtwhistle welcomed attendees before Director of Operations James Hatt outlined Southern Water’s challenges and delivery objectives.

Sessions led by Elvin Box and Technical Solutions Manager Justin Watson explored how organisations can build a culture of innovation and turn promising ideas into practical solutions. Southern Water’s Christopher Randall also shared a leadership perspective on the opportunities ahead.

Technology in action

Throughout the showcase, exhibitors presented solutions spanning trenchless pipe rehabilitation, asset inspection, pipeline repair, tunnelling, excavation support, PPE management, materials reuse and specialist marine engineering.

Live demonstrations from Picote UK and WRc gave attendees the opportunity to see technology in action, ask detailed questions and consider how different approaches could be applied to operational challenges.

The technologies featured included solutions for inspecting and rehabilitating wastewater assets, working on pipelines while they remain in service, improving excavation safety, reducing surface disruption and recovering materials from utility excavations.

Rather than viewing these solutions in isolation, the event focused on how we can draw on the combined capability of its supply chain to support Southern Water’s operational and infrastructure needs.

Starting the next conversation

The event also included men’s and women’s health awareness sessions, reflecting a programme that considered both technical progress and the people responsible for delivering it.

Attendees were encouraged to identify technologies for further investigation, request follow-up discussions and highlight operational challenges that could benefit from a different approach.

The event may have ended, but the work starts here. By bringing fresh ideas, specialist expertise and real delivery challenges together, Innovation Day created a platform for Cappagh Browne and Southern Water to identify promising solutions and move them closer to practical application.