January 2009
Michael Norton has been conferred a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the water industry and international trade in the 2009 New Years Honours List announced this week.
Michael graduated in Civil Engineering from Leeds University in 1973. After spells working with water authorities and companies in Yorkshire, Scotland and Merseyside, Michael joined Halcrow in 1985. He was appointed business development manager in 1990 and made a director in 1997. In 2005, Michael was appointed development director of Halcrow’s water and power business – a position he held until 2007, when he was promoted to managing director.
Michael has been responsible for projects including Portsmouth and Havant Wastewater Treatment in the UK; Barcelona Water Projects in Venezuela; Cusco, Abancay and Sicuani Water Studies in Peru; Aconcagua Valley Wastewater Treatment Plants in Chile; Puerto Cortes Wastewater Treatment Plant in Honduras; the design review of Guangzhou Wastewater Project in China; and a number of specialist roles on projects in Latin America, Middle East and China.
Today, Michael is responsible for around 1,500 employees and a turnover in excess of £100 million. As managing director, he is driving business strategy and building the Halcrow brand in order to best capitalise on the opportunities available. Crucially, he is focusing on the long-term future of the water and power businesses and taking greater responsibility for the development of Halcrow’s global operations.
With a strong international perspective, Michael represents Halcrow and British interests throughout the globe. In 2007, he was appointed chair of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) India Water Working Group; whilst in 2008 he joined the UKTI’s Water Sector Advisory Group. He is a visiting lecturer for Oxford University’s MSc in Water Science and Policy and former Chair of the Water Programme Advisory Committee at Cranfield University.
In November 2008, Michael joined the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) Water Panel. The Panel includes leading practitioners throughout the water sector works to facilitate best practice in the delivery of sustainable water policy and infrastructure worldwide.