{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Executive Exchange","title":"Re-wiggling River Anton: Southern Water's Transformative Restoration Project with Lawrence Gosden","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/8d536e17\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":874,"description":"In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Lawrence Gosden, Chief Executive of Southern Water, along the river bank of the Anton. Lawrence shares his career path from pipe laying to civil engineering, and explains Southern Water’s role across the UK. The conversation focuses on Southern Water's project about restoring River Anton's health after the postwar river straightening for agriculture damaged habitats and groundwater levels. Southern Water and partners are reversing this by “re-wiggling” the river, restoring backwaters, gravel scours, and re-wetting peat-rich meadows to reduce carbon release. Lawrence describes rapid ecological recovery, emphasizes catchment-based solutions for climate resilience, and reflects on leadership lessons about slowing down and valuing people.\n00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro\n00:54 Lawrence Career Origins\n01:26 Engineering Inspiration\n02:30 Ops Versus Strategy\n03:23 About Southern Water\n04:06 On Location Chalk Stream\n04:27 Fish Hotel Backwater\n05:08 Why Chalk Streams Matter\n06:00 River Restoration History\n08:00 Re-wiggling the Anton\n09:11 Peat Meadows and Carbon\n10:09 Timeline and Lessons\n10:46 Advice for Utility Leaders\n12:20 Partnerships and Community\n13:03 Personal Advice and Wrap","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/AhH8Oc24Ep5HBk1v4oSv3FPCbdOflcUt3HC2QFXLbGU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85ZGVm/OTViMGYxNjJiMjNh/YjEwMmM3YmY2MWZj/ZjBmMi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}