Professor Anthony Harrington
Director of Environment at Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water
Obituary: Professor Anthony Harrington (1962 – 2024)
It is with profound sadness that the Learned Society of Wales announces the passing of Anthony (Tony) Harrington in December 2024. An esteemed environment leader, and most recently Director of Environment at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Professor Harrington’s eminent career in the water industry leaves an enduring legacy across the industry, academia and environment policy.
Tony graduated with a BSc (Joint Hons) in Oceanography and Soil Science from Bangor University (1983), followed by an MPhil. in Coastal Hydraulics from the University of Brighton (1985), a Diploma in Environmental law from the University of Plymouth (1993), and an MBA from the University of Leeds Executive Business School (2006). He was a Chartered Engineer (1991), Chartered Scientist (2004), Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (1986), Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management, and was elected to the Learned Society of Wales in 2014.
His professional journey included acquiring experience in a wide range of environmentally focused roles, in both industry (e.g. South West Water, Yorkshire Water and Dwr Cymru), and government agencies (e.g. UKWIR and the Food and Environment Research Agency).
When Tony joined Dwr Cymru in 2011 as Director of Environment, he quickly became a central figure in shaping the company’s long‑term environmental strategy. He championed research‑led innovation, supported cross‑sector collaboration, and helped advance critical work on climate resilience, water quality, and wastewater management. His leadership extended beyond the organisation through board roles in major research networks, including UKWIR, and through his influential partnerships with academia. In a recent conversation about Tony, Steve Wilson (Managing Director Wastewater Service, Business Customers and Energy, at Dwr Cymru) wrote: “we miss him at Dwr Cymru and in these difficult times with trust in the water sector, regulation and the state of the environment, we miss his passion to engage in the debate with the public, politicians, academics and regulators to try and deliver a sustainable water sector for Wales and the UK”.
In 2016 Tony was appointed as an Honorary Professor in the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University in recognition of his long-standing support for the Water Research Institute and his contributions to research knowledge exchange. From a personal perspective, Tony also strongly supported our work in the Cardiff School of Engineering’s Hydro-environmental Research Centre and our collaboration with the Centre for Research in Environment and Health (led by Prof. David Kay, FLSW) at Aberystwyth, where together our two research centres published internationally on our research findings on the monitoring, analysis and modelling of complex hydro-bacteriological processes, including hydrodynamic, faecal and nutrient processes.
Beyond his professional achievements, Tony cared deeply about Wales and its natural environment. His work reflected a belief that essential services should be delivered not only efficiently, but ethically and sustainably, for the benefit of future generations. His personal passions also included rowing and Welsh rugby.
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to innovation and environmental progress, Welsh Water have created the Tony Harrington Award, celebrating pioneering research by PhD and MSc students whose work shapes the future of the water sector.
Tony is remembered with deep respect and affection by his wife Ross, daughters Emily and Sophie, friends, colleagues and the many communities whose wellbeing and environment have been enriched by his life’s work. His legacy endures in the policies he shaped, the people he mentored and the environmental improvements he tirelessly championed.
Prepared by Professor Roger Falconer (Emeritus Professor Cardiff University)