Waters of LIFE have welcomed Regan Phipps to the team as Project Senior Scientist and Assistant Project Manager.

His role includes catchment management and planning while overseeing the work of the project’s team of catchment scientists.

Regan brings almost 20 years’ experience in environmental science and management to the project.

He worked for a number of years as an environmental scientist with Bord na Mona before making the switch to Taranaki Regional Council in his native New Zealand.

His 12 years of service with the council led to his appointment as Science and Technology Manager where Regan led a multi-disciplinary science team. Their focus was delivery of state of environment monitoring, reporting programmes and providing scientific evidence to support freshwater policy implementation.

On returning to Ireland, Regan held a senior role in an environmental consultancy. He made the switch to the management role in Waters of LIFE in May 2025.

“We’re thrilled to have Regan on board” said Waters of LIFE Project Manager Anne Goggin.

“His appointment is timely. Our pilot agri-environmental programme is now operational and we’re also rolling out catchment management plans in our demonstration areas.

He will lead on a number of key initiatives for us while providing guidance and support to our catchment team.”

The demonstration sub-catchment team is as follows:

• Avonmore, Co. Wicklow – Mark Desmond
• Graney, Co. Clare / Galway – Ruth Bennett Coady
• Islands, Co. Galway / Roscommon – John Kelly
• Cork (Awbeg and Shournagh Catchments) – Diarmuid McSweeney

You can contact any of our catchment team by going to www.watersoflife/contact