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New agreement builds on collaboration to enhance and protect the natural environment

23 Sep 2025

North West water company United Utilities and the National Trust have announced a landmark agreement that builds on their ongoing work to protect and improve the natural environment. 

Together, the two major landowners have committed to working collaboratively to tackle the challenges of climate change and improve the environment for communities and wildlife to enjoy. 

Over the years, both organisations have successfully worked together to improve land management practices through schemes including Wild Ennerdale, Moors for the Future Partnership, Pennine Prospects, High Peak Vision, Great North Bog and Kinder Peat Restoration. 

Building on this long-standing partnership, United Utilities and the National Trust have signed an agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to continue to work strategically to:  

  • Ensure healthy catchments and improve the water environment 
  • Address the challenges presented by climate change  
  • Stand up for nature and build resilience for habitats and species 
  • Create places and opportunities for people to enjoy the natural environment 

Through this agreement, the two organisations will explore opportunities for continuing existing collaboration and exploring new ones. This includes seeking co-funding opportunities, driving and supporting sustainable behaviours through tailored communications, using its joint network to bring together stakeholders and partners to deliver change across catchments and sharing expertise, knowledge and experience to improve its joint impact. 

Jo Harrison, Strategic Planning and Sustainability Director at United Utilities, said: “We have a vital role in making the North West stronger, greener and healthier. This is at the heart of everything we do, and we recognise the fantastic opportunity we have to enhance nature recovery, engage communities, improve water quality and river habitat, and maximise the value we create for local people. 

“This agreement builds on years of collaboration with the National Trust, and we are committed to working with them to realise our long-term ambition to deliver for local people and the environment right across the region.” 

Mike Innerdale, National Trust's Regional Director for the North of England, said: “This agreement is a major milestone in our ambition to protect and restore nature across the North and deliver against our strategic goal of working with others to create 250,000 hectares of thriving, nature-rich landscapes by 2035 - not just on National Trust land, but everywhere.

“Improving the quality of our rivers and waterways takes collaboration and water companies must be part of the solution. As significant landowners in the North West, the National Trust and United Utilities can achieve more for nature, for people and for the places we all care about together than we can do alone."