With AMP8 approaching - Ofwat’s five-year regulatory cycle - United Utilities engaged Arup’s digital services team to help mobilise a delivery-focused group called the Enterprise.

The goal was to address climate change challenges, ageing infrastructure and rising demand on water systems through digital innovation.

Arup was appointed to lead strategy, systems design and create a new team across eight partner organisations. Working closely with digital experts, we introduced tools for communication and security, set up a shared data environment and built a digital team to support both mobilisation and long-term operations. 

The Enterprise is built on three guiding principles - delivering differently, performing at pace and being easy to work with. Embracing data, technology and digital innovation - even when unfamiliar or challenging - it positioned itself at the forefront of change. Now an advanced, digitally enabled team, the Enterprise is fully equipped to embrace the opportunities AMP8 brings. 

Building digital foundations 

What began as a need for a digital strategy quickly became a need to execute and implement the recommendations it contained. We introduced a suite of tools that made communication between partners more seamless, as well as establishing a new shared data environment to support effective collaboration across the Enterprise. We also developed a set of dashboards and reporting tools, informed by our experience in complex and major programme delivery. 

Finally, utilising our experience in building digital capability within organisations, we helped to form a new digital team. Their role was to deliver the services developed for the Enterprise, along with the processes needed to support and guide their work. 

This required a broad range of expertise, strategic planning and leadership, managing data and ensuring information security. These were all underpinned by a strong understanding of how to design, deliver and measure the success of digital programmes. 

Enabling long‑term transformation 

Through this collaborative transformation, the Enterprise has not only met the immediate demands of AMP8 but has also established a robust foundation for ongoing innovation and resilience.  

By embedding digital expertise, fostering seamless collaboration among partners, and embracing new technologies, the Enterprise is now equipped to adapt to evolving industry challenges and seize future opportunities with confidence. This positions the team at the forefront of digital delivery in the water sector, ready to drive continued success for United Utilities and its partners.