As it kicks off its largest ever, £11 billion investment programme, Anglian Water is announcing that it has signed a new five-year contract with its Integrated Operational Solutions (IOS) Alliance. This new contract renews a 10 year partnership between Anglian Water, Barhale, Kier and M Group.

The IOS Alliance provides expertise for specialised and complex projects and programmes across both water and water recycling for Anglian Water.

The new five-year contract will see IOS deliver an estimated £400 million worth of investment for Anglian Water, with work ranging from mains laying to complex maintenance works on key sites, and building assets, such as pumping stations.

This forms part of Anglian Water’s business plan for 2025-2030, which is worth £11 billion –its largest ever programme, and almost double the value of the last five-year period. By the end of the decade, Anglian will have doubled its investment into the environment, replaced over 1000km of water mains, completed its strategic water grid and be ready to begin construction on two new reservoirs for the region – all of which will create jobs and bolster the local economy, helping the region to thrive.

The East of England includes the country’s four fastest-growing cities: Milton Keynes, Northampton, Peterborough and Cambridge, and is set to see more than 720,000 new residents over the next 20 years. Anglian’s plan is designed to deliver the investment needed to prepare the region for this level of growth as well as navigating the challenges, extremes and uncertainties that climate change will bring.

As one of Anglian Water’s integrated alliances, IOS is underpinned by a single commercial framework, enabling partners to share best practices and bring together the right expertise for every challenge – delivering best-in-class operational solutions for the environment and Anglian Water’s customers.

Melissa Reynard, IOS Delivery Director for Anglian Water, said: “As we head into our next business period, which will see us deliver more than we ever have before, we’re really pleased to be strengthening our IOS Alliance with our long term partners Barhale, Kier and M Group.

“Our alliancing model here at Anglian Water is an exemplar in the industry, allowing us to deliver the best outcomes for our customers and for our region’s environment. By bringing together the best experts from each partnership, we can tackle even the toughest operational challenges – so we’re very pleased to have our partners by our side as we begin delivering our largest investment programme to date.”

Joe Solomon, Barhale’s Regional Director (Eastern), said: “We are excited to be extending our strategic partnership with Anglian Water into AMP8 with the signing of the IOS Alliance.

“All of the Barhale team are very proud to have forged great relationships with our operational colleagues and IOS partners over the last ten years.  Now, at the start of the new AMP, we are looking forward to playing a key role in the region’s largest-ever water investment programme, drawing on our expertise and capabilities in design and solution development, infra, non-infra and vacuum sewage technologies to help strengthen the network, build resilience and improve customer experience across Anglian Water’s operating area.”

Andy Lingham, Managing Director of Water at Kier, said: “We’re proud to continue our 10-year partnership with Anglian Water for a further five years alongside fellow IOS Alliance members as we head into the next AMP cycle. This renewed commitment reflects the strength of our collaborative approach and shared ambition to deliver smarter, more sustainable water infrastructure across the region. Together, we’re not just delivering projects — we’re helping shape a resilient future for the communities we serve.”

Murray Powell, Contract Director at M Group, said: “M Group is incredibly proud to have been part of Anglian Water’s Integrated Operational Solutions (IOS) Alliance since 2015, which has now been extended until 2030. Critical areas such as protecting the environment, securing supplies and delivering for their customers are all key deliverables for water companies throughout AMP8. Anglian Water’s pioneering approach towards embedded alliances places it at the forefront of innovative delivery and therefore best placed to address these challenges.

“M Group’s ability to provide effective and efficient delivery of Water Recycling and Water Capital Maintenance services to Anglian Water over the past two AMP’s, has secured its position to support further over the next five years of AMP8 and beyond, aiding Anglian Water in bringing both environmental and social prosperity to the region.”