A Stream Steering Group was convened on 2026-04-21. The Steering Group comprises experts that represent [Stream] water companies, regulators, research, innovation bodies and government. Co-chaired by Icebreaker One and NWL, the group’s primary function is to help provide leadership and market signalling.
Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026 10:00-12:00 BST
Location: online
Co-Chairs: Melissa Tallack (NWL); Gavin Starks (IB1)
Secretariat: IB1
Meeting Aims
- Confirm confidence in the given ecosystem maps and agree priority outreach
- Review member feedback on the Data Sharing Working Group documents and discuss next steps
- Discuss and endorse collaboration with the energy sector
Summary:
- It was agreed that:
- If members endorse the proposal, Thames Water will formally join Stream as a member, achieving full national coverage across England, Wales and Scotland for the first time, which strengthens its position as it moves towards becoming an independent entity.
- It was noted that:
- Six priority stakeholder groups have been identified for focused Q2 engagement, with environmental regulators receiving a clear consensus as the top priority.
- An ecosystem stakeholder map has been developed to direct outreach activity, with a review cadence of at least every six months.
- Success will be measured through a mix of quantitative metrics (newsletter sign-ups, LinkedIn followers, event attendance) and qualitative outcome indicators (advocacy behaviours, funding facilitation, adoption of Stream as the defacto data infrastructure).
- Stream is looking to engage with the energy sector on data sharing interoperability, as part of existing cross-sector commitments within the current funding period.
- It was discussed that:
- The qualitative success metrics for ecosystem engagement, while directionally correct, require further detail at the individual stakeholder level to avoid setting targets for their own sake or driving unintended behaviours.
- Outreach responsibilities need to be distributed across the Stream membership rather than relying on a single voice.
- The regulatory reform landscape presents a timely opportunity to establish Stream as the defacto data sharing infrastructure for the water sector.
- Cross-sector interoperability with energy requires careful management to avoid constraining Stream’s pace of progress, with transparency and communication being key to maintaining alignment without creating dependencies.
Next meeting: Tuesday 2 June 2026 10:00-12:00 BST
Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat.
These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.