Why Water: A Journey with Sid Jones

In a conversation with Sid Jones, Head of Engineering (Design House) at Ovivo UK, Energy, we delve into his extensive engineering career, spanning multiple industries. With a rich design and supply chain management background, he shares his journey into the water industry and the impact of working in such a vital sector.

His Journey:

Sid's journey started as an engineer at just 16 years old, eventually leading him to head engineering projects at Ovivo, where he's been working for 28 years. His career has spanned multiple industries, including defense, automotive transport, and finally water treatment. He started his water journey in desalination at Brackett Green (which now operates under Ovivo) and later expanded his expertise to drum screens, band screens, and more.

His experience has taken him across the globe, from China to the Middle East, and through various roles, such as engineering manager and supply chain leader. A passion for learning, innovation, and solving technical challenges has driven his career.

The Significance of Water:

Although water is often taken for granted, Sid believes it's one of the most critical elements of human life. After transitioning into the water industry, he quickly realized its wide range of applications -from nuclear reactor cooling systems to treating water for human consumption.

The global challenge of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, has made water treatment and conservation even more urgent. His experience at Ovivo has deepened his understanding of how essential water is and how crucial it is to manage it effectively.

Why Water with Ovivo?

The transition to Ovivo was driven by the unique challenges and opportunities in water treatment. Sid was drawn to the company's focus on innovation, particularly in areas like desalination and purification technologies. Ovivo's company culture also played a significant role. He notes that the leadership team has cultivated a supportive environment where innovation thrives, and people are encouraged to share ideas.

Working for a company that contributes to solving global water scarcity and other water-related issues has been deeply fulfilling for him, especially as he thinks about the future of his children, saying, "I believe and always have believed that Ovivo produces the luxury, top tier car equivalent in the water industry. It's got the quality and the kind of performance behind. If you came to Ovivo then you came because you know we've got the product knowledge, and we will deliver a good product with good customer support".

What Does the Future of Water Treatment Look Like?

Sid emphasizes the importance of bringing younger generations into the water and engineering industries "We're working on finding what motivates the younger generation to encourage them to go into the water industry, especially in the UK" he mentions. He sees this as vital to ensure that future challenges are met with the same enthusiasm and expertise as those tackled today.

Looking ahead, Sid sees two major tangents shaping the future of water treatment: increasing global water shortages and the critical role of advanced filtration systems. With populations growing and climate change intensifying, the world is facing a serious water crisis. Sid believes Ovivo's innovative technologies, will be key to addressing these challenges, he adds "We need to look at how we can assist the world, and I am confident in the direction we're taking to achieve the needed".