On July 16, 2026, Managing Director for Anthera Remediation Technologies, Dr. Cecilia MacLeod will join some of the United Kingdom’s leading experts on PFAS as chair of the CIRIA virtual conference: Advancing Good Practice in PFAS Risk Management for UK Projects. This event will bring together regulators, consultants, remediation specialists, insurers, engineers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to explore emerging best practices and practical approaches to addressing PFAS remediation.
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) continue to reshape conversations around environmental liability, contaminated land management, water quality, and long-term remediation strategy. As regulatory frameworks evolve and scientific understanding advances, organizations across the environmental sector are being challenged to adapt quickly while balancing risk, compliance, and practical project execution. That is why industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing events have become increasingly important.
PFAS compounds, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment, continue to receive heightened regulatory and public attention worldwide. Their widespread historical use in industrial applications, firefighting foams, manufacturing, and consumer products has created complex environmental challenges for both public and private sector organizations. As a result, environmental professionals are increasingly being asked to navigate:
At the same time, remediation technologies and analytical methodologies continue to evolve, creating new opportunities for more effective and sustainable PFAS management strategies.
One of the most important aspects of the upcoming CIRIA conference is its cross-disciplinary focus. PFAS risk management is not confined to a single area of expertise, but rather requires collaboration across environmental science, engineering, risk assessment, policy, remediation, legal, and insurance disciplines. The conference agenda is expected to cover a range of timely topics, including:
By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event aims to help organizations better understand both the technical and strategic implications of PFAS management in real-world project environments.
The PFAS landscape is changing quickly, and many organizations are still working to establish long-term strategies for addressing environmental, operational, and financial risk. Events such as Advancing Good Practice in PFAS Risk Management for UK Projects provide an opportunity for professionals to:
As environmental expectations continue to rise, proactive engagement and ongoing education will remain critical for organizations seeking to navigate PFAS-related challenges responsibly and effectively.
Professionals interested in PFAS remediation, contaminated land management, environmental consulting, water treatment, regulatory compliance, or environmental risk management are encouraged to attend.
About CIRIA
CIRIA is the construction industry research and information association. It is an independent, not-for-profit, member-based research organisation that exists to champion performance improvement in construction. Since 1960, CIRIA has delivered support and guidance to the construction, built environment and infrastructure sectors. CIRIA works with members from all parts of the supply chain to coordinate collaborative projects, industry networks and events. Its high-quality guidance is delivered to industry through publications, training, and other performance improvement activities. For more information on CIRIA’s products and services please visit www.ciria.org
About Anthera Remediation Technologies
Anthera Remediation Technologies develops innovative environmental remediation solutions designed to help organizations address complex contamination challenges, including PFAS and emerging contaminants. Through science-driven strategies and collaborative partnerships, A.R.T. works to advance practical, sustainable remediation approaches for the future. For more information about A.R.T., please visit antheraremediation.com
Commercial Director
Gareth is an investment and advisory professional with 40+ years’ experience across financial services, natural capital, and clean/climate technologies. He co-founded Climate Change Capital in 2002 and has been Managing Partner at Beetle Capital Partners LLP since 2008, with a proven track record in pioneering innovation in sustainability, scaling transformative businesses, and navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments.
Throughout his career, Gareth has developed close collaborative relationships with academic researchers and policy makers, to spearhead groundbreaking projects that have paved the way for advancements in environmental technologies, including the launch of a number of successful startups. He now focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage companies on their journey to Series A.
Finance & Operations Director
Leonardo brings nearly 15 years of experience identifying and seizing opportunities, building high-performance teams, and developing systems and processes that create efficiencies, increase productivity, and drive business results to his role at A.R.T.
After almost a decade-long career in Morgan Stanley, Leonardo obtained an MBA from Imperial College to pursue his passion for translating science into impactful outcomes.
He brings proven expertise in strategic financial planning, funding initiatives, and leading high-performing teams to achieve critical financial objectives and operational excellence.
At A.R.T., Leonardo utilizes his extensive experience in financial and business planning, resource allocation, and financial reporting to provide strategic direction, decision-support, and leadership for the company’s growth strategy.
Chief Scientific Advisor
An environmental scientist with over 11 years of post-graduate experience, David brings hands-on expertise in managing complex remediation projects, having served as technical lead on several large-scale sites.
He previously managed an R&D laboratory for a remediation contractor, overseeing multiple PFAS-related projects, including assessments of destructive processes and stabilization methods.
Building on his experience with NAPL remediation and the challenges encountered in the field, David developed an innovative LNAPL probe, earning the 2017 Brownfield Briefing Award and the 2019 Spill Response Innovation Award for its development, commercialization, and successful application.
His recent work for a nuclear-sector client includes project management for the development of new treatment media to mitigate a radioactive groundwater plume. David also collaborates with several UK universities, guest lecturing to postgraduate groups and supervising MSc research projects—15 of which he has guided to completion.
He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Southampton and currently serves as Chair of the SoBRA NAPL Sub-Group and a member of CIWEM’s Contaminated Land Technical Group.
Managing Director
An environmental geochemist with over 40 years of experience in contamination assessment and remediation, Cecilia has been actively engaged in PFAS investigation and research since 2005. While completing her PhD at Princeton University, she played a key role in evaluating and reclaiming disused gravel pits using digested sewage sludge through a joint initiative with the U.S. Geological Survey and the New Jersey Governor’s Task Force.
During her postdoctoral work at Imperial College, Cecilia managed microbiology research for PhD and MSc students, later developing a successful MSc program in Water, Waste, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Greenwich. She has also collaborated academically with the University of Nottingham and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Beyond academia, Cecilia has served as Technical Director for both WIG and Arcadis. She currently sits on the CIRIA PFAS Working Group, where she contributed to the technical review of CIRIA’s recently published PFAS guidance. In addition, she chairs the Steering Committee for projects focused on Climate Change and Development and the Management of Microplastics.
