Waterwise
From complexity to clarity, building a mission-led strategy to scale impact and drive sustainable growth.
Client: Waterwise
Sector: Not-for-profit/environmental
Partner: Richard Tidswell
Outcome: Clear mission, aligned leadership and a robust, financially grounded growth strategy to significantly increase its impact.
The Challenge
Waterwise had reached an important moment in its strategic journey.
External changes in the water sector were creating new opportunities and expectations for organisations capable of leading the agenda on water efficiency. At the same time, the leadership team recognised the need to sharpen the organisation’s strategic focus and plan for the next stage of growth in impact and income.
For the CEO, the challenge was not the ambition – it was navigating the complexity of turning that ambition into a coherent strategy.
There were several pressures at play:
- Board deadlines requiring a clear strategic direction
- The need to review and strengthen the organisation’s purpose and positioning
- Ambitions to significantly grow income and impact
- Operational pressures of running a small national not-for-profit organisation
The CEO knew broadly what direction the organisation should take but needed structured support to translate that thinking into a clear strategy, financial plan and organisational roadmap.
This is where Energize Partners’ Richard Tidswell began working closely with the leadership team.
Our Approach
Working alongside the CEO over the best part of a year, Richard supported a comprehensive root-and-branch review of the organisation’s strategy, purpose and growth ambitions.
From the outset, the approach was highly collaborative – engaging both the Board and the wider team to ensure the strategy was owned across the organisation.
In our experience working with growing organisations, the strongest strategies are not written in isolation. They are built through structured dialogue, evidence and shared understanding of where the organisation can create the most impact.
Key areas of work included:
Strategic Context Review
An independent review of the organisation’s existing strategy documentation and thinking, including its strategic direction towards 2030.
This created a clear starting point and highlighted areas where greater focus and clarity were needed.
Stakeholder Engagement
One-to-one conversations were conducted with Board members and the Senior Leadership Team to gather perspectives on:
- The organisation’s strategic direction
- Current organisational strengths and constraints
- Aspirations for the future
This process helped surface different viewpoints while building early alignment around the direction of travel.
Strategy Review and Consolidation
Working closely with the CEO and leadership team, Richard helped bring together multiple strands of thinking into a coherent strategic framework.
This included:
- Refining the organisation’s core purpose and mission
- Reviewing market positioning and service mix
- Assessing external trends and sector dynamics
- Identifying strategic opportunities aligned with organisational capability
- Prioritising areas where Waterwise could create the greatest impact
During this process, the organisation developed a new mission statement to complement its existing vision.
Market and Sector Research
Additional research was conducted to evaluate strategic opportunities across the water sector, including:
- Competitor and stakeholder landscape analysis
- Routes to market for new initiatives
- Assessment of opportunity size and strategic fit
Financial Modelling and Scenario Planning
Strategic options were translated into financial projections to support realistic growth planning.
This included:
- Developing growth scenarios based on key assumptions
- Sensitivity analysis to test risk and resilience
- Building a forward P&L and financial roadmap
- Informing annual budgeting and target setting
Target Operating Model
As part of the growth strategy, the organisational structure and operating model were reviewed to ensure the organisation could deliver the strategy effectively.
This included considerations around recruitment, capability development and future leadership structure.
Board Engagement and Approval
The strategic framework and growth plans were presented and refined through engagement with the Board, ensuring strong governance alignment and confidence in the plan.
Implementation Support
Richard continued supporting Waterwise during the early stages of implementation, including:
- Communicating the strategy internally
- Embedding plans into budgets and activity plans
- Supporting recruitment planning
- Advising on organisational restructuring and succession planning
- Developing new business leads externally
The Results
The work resulted in the creation of a comprehensive Impact Plan – a strategic roadmap designed to significantly increase Waterwise’s impact and income over the coming years.
Importantly, the strategy was not simply written and delivered.
It was co-created, ensuring strong ownership across leadership, staff, and the Board.
As a result, Waterwise emerged from the process:
- With a clearer mission and sharpened purpose
- A robust strategic framework for growth
- Greater alignment between leadership and Board
- Financial modelling to support ambitious impact plans
- Increased organisational confidence about the future
The organisation is now better positioned to lead the national conversation on water efficiency while growing its influence and reach.
“Working with Richard was an incredibly positive experience. He worked closely with me for the best part of a year, refining our mission and strategy, going into great depth, and building a great relationship with our Board, who had full confidence in us both. Richard was a joy to work with, and always met me where I was, ‘getting’ me from the start. He is inclusive, creative, generous, and strategic – and his vast experience with businesses large and small was priceless. Waterwise emerged from the year we worked with Richard stronger, more strategic and firing on all cylinders.”
Nicci Russell – Institute of Water CEO