FIDO Tech continues to consolidate its position as a market leader for AI-led water leak detection with the appointment of Hannah Wardle to the new role of UK Managing Director.
With more than 20 years’ experience in water network operations, including as head of leakage at two of the UK’s largest water companies, Hannah brings exceptional strength and talent to the FIDO team at a critical time in the company’s global growth.
In her most recent role as Head of Leakage for Thames Water, Hannah delivered the company’s largest ever annual average reduction in leakage, 48 million litres a day.
An experienced and effective leader in the field of leakage reduction methodologies and practices, Hannah will play a key role in growing FIDO’s business in the UK, which remains a key market for the company.
Top of her priority list will be to optimise FIDO’s unique AI-led operational service model for utilities, and to deliver on its promise as a best-in-class AI technology for reducing non-revenue water (NRW). As one of the world’s most mature leak detection markets, the UK is a test-bed for FIDO’s ongoing breakthroughs in AI functionality.
FIDO Tech CEO Victoria Edwards said: “Having Hannah as our UK Managing Director is a huge coup for FIDO and a signal to the water industry that we have the talent and heft they need right now to improve water resilience at what could not be a more critical time for the UK and the planet. Her knowledge and experience of utility leak detection methods and processes is truly second to none. She knows what utilities need because she’s been there. In her capable hands I am sure FIDO AI will become an essential part of a utility’s leak detection programme.”
Because Hannah is no newcomer to FIDO AI, she will be hitting the ground running. She was Head of Leakage at United Utilities, the water company in the northwest of England, when FIDO first emerged from its Innovation Lab technology incubator scheme in2019. Later, at Thames Water, she was on the utility side of a now award-winning water replenishment project with Microsoft, which has FIDO AI at its heart.
Hannah said: “It’s very exciting to be here. It has been phenomenal to watch how the company has grown and developed over the last six years, particularly what FIDO is doing to develop tech and processes which will enable any community to resolve their own leakage issues. The UK has a real shortage of skilled technicians able to drive leakage down. Being able to offer a solution to a wider population will be a game changer. I see lots of opportunities to make FIDO an even more sellable and advantageous solution for water companies.”
Hannah, who lives in Cheshire, will be based out of FIDO’s operational office in Wigan.
Solving leakage is not the only passion she shares with FIDO CEO Victoria Edwards. She is horse lover. Hannah is secretary of her local riding club and regularly competes in dressage, showjumping, shows and arena eventing with her Connemara pony Annie.
