Introducing Steven Clarke

Q: Can you tell us about your background and your current role?

I’m Head of Technical Excellence, Sustainability and Innovation at WPS Facilities Management, part of the Wates Group. I’ve been here for over eight years.

I started out with my own electrical business before moving into maintenance for a better work-life balance. My first role in facilities management was as an electrical engineer working on the Houses of Parliament contract, which was an incredible learning environment. From there, I progressed through supervisory and account management roles, working across large estates including a large public sector estate.

Today, my role focuses on identifying opportunities to improve building performance through sustainability initiatives, innovation and better use of data, particularly around energy and water savings.

From energy savings to a broader sustainability focus

Q: What led you into focusing on sustainability and innovation?

A big turning point was working across a large public sector estate. They were very proactive in driving improvement and expected their service providers to bring forward ideas.

We implemented a building optimisation platform across several sites, looking at how buildings were actually being used, asset condition and operational patterns. Within 18 months, we delivered significant energy savings and won a sustainable contractor award.

That experience really shaped my approach. Now, my focus is on aligning solutions with each client’s net zero strategy and identifying where the biggest impact can be made.

Why water is still overlooked

Q: Many organisations prioritise energy over water. Is that something you see?

Absolutely, and I find it surprising.

Water should be treated in the same conversation as energy and gas, but it often isn’t. There are so many hidden issues in buildings, leaks, inefficient systems, poor maintenance, that lead to wasted water.

From a maintenance perspective, water issues are often more complex and time-consuming than electrical ones. A fault in an electrical system is usually straightforward to locate. With water, the issue could be anywhere in the system.

So when you optimise water usage, you’re not just saving water, you’re reducing reactive maintenance, preventing downtime and improving overall system performance.

The hidden costs of water inefficiency

Q: What are the biggest risks of not managing water properly?

Leaks and inefficiencies are the biggest issues we see. Even small problems, like a constantly running toilet, can waste significant amounts of water over time.

The challenge is that these issues are often ignored because they’re not seen as urgent. But cumulatively, they can lead to:

• Higher water bills
• Increased maintenance call-outs
• Greater energy use from pumps and systems
• Risk of major failures or leaks
• Insurance claims and operational disruption

Water also has an indirect energy impact. If systems aren’t optimised, pumps and associated infrastructure have to work harder, which increases energy consumption as well.

Why behaviour and perception matter

Q: Why do you think water doesn’t get the same attention as energy?

Energy is much more visible. It’s always in the news, prices, supply issues, global events. Water doesn’t get the same level of attention unless there’s a drought.

There’s also a behavioural element. People notice when a light doesn’t work because it directly affects them. But a small leak or inefficiency in a washroom doesn’t create the same urgency.

That’s why data and visualisation are so important. When you present clients with clear, quantified evidence of how much water is being wasted, it changes the conversation.

Making the case for action

Q: How do you get clients to take action on water savings?

The key is going in with facts and data.

If you present a solution without evidence, it’s much harder to get buy-in. But if you can show:

• Current usage
• Identified inefficiencies
• Projected savings
• Return on investment

then the conversation becomes much more productive.

We also use case studies and benchmarking across different clients. That helps demonstrate what’s achievable and creates a sense of momentum.

Another important angle is future cost. If clients delay action, we show them what it will cost in five years’ time compared to acting now. Often, that’s what drives decisions.

Where to start with water savings

Q: What advice would you give to organisations looking to improve water efficiency?

Start with your data.

A comprehensive and accurate asset register is essential. You need to understand:

• What assets you have
• Their condition
• How they’re performing
• Where the risks and opportunities are

Without that, you’re guessing.

Once you have that baseline, you can identify quick wins. For example:

• Older washroom facilities may offer retrofit opportunities
• Newer buildings may benefit from better monitoring and leak detection
• High-usage areas may present the biggest savings potential

Everything should be built on data. When you present solutions based on a client’s own data, it’s much easier to justify investment.

Looking ahead: growing momentum for water

Q: Are you optimistic about the future of water conservation in FM?

Yes, definitely.

We’re starting to see more interest, particularly around things like rainwater harvesting and system optimisation. Clients are beginning to recognise the opportunity, not just in cost savings but in resilience and sustainability.

I think we’ll see more focus over the next few years, especially as regulations evolve and organisations look more closely at their environmental impact.

There’s still a long way to go, but the direction of travel is positive.

Final thoughts

Steven’s perspective highlights a clear gap in how sustainability is approached in buildings today.

While energy continues to dominate the conversation, water represents a significant, and often untapped, opportunity for cost savings, efficiency and risk reduction.

For facilities managers, the message is clear: start with data, focus on optimisation and treat water with the same level of importance as energy.