David Elliot

Catch David Elliot on Do Radio: It’s Not About Trees with John Lunn 19-25 January 2026

David Elliot is a leading strategist in water systems and natural capital, and Director of Ferns Natural Capital Strategy, where he focuses on building more sustainable and resilient rivers and coasts.

With over 40 years of experience in the UK water sector, David has worked at the intersection of infrastructure, environment and policy. He spent 12 years as Environment & Strategy Director at Wessex Water, where he was a pioneer of catchment management and multi-agency approaches to improving river health — shifting thinking away from isolated engineering solutions toward whole-system collaboration.

David founded EnTrade, a pioneering nutrient trading platform, and supported the development of innovative water businesses including Albion Water and Water2Business, helping to challenge conventional models of ownership, regulation and delivery.

As a Water Environment Policy Advisor, David has played a significant role in shaping national reform, including influencing the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). His work consistently emphasises long-term thinking, shared responsibility and the need to reconnect water management with the natural systems it depends on.

David’s perspective combines deep operational experience with systems thinking, making him a respected voice on how water, regulation and communities must evolve together in the face of climate and environmental change.