Secondment Spotlight – Tegan Illingworth

From the rivers of rural New Zealand to the floodplains of Eastbourne, Tegan Illingworth brings a blend of global insight and local action to water management. Currently leading the Blue Heart project on secondment from Waterman Aspen, Tegan’s role focuses on promoting innovation in flood risk management, while engaging with the community.

The Blue Heart project, led by East Sussex County Council, is one of 25 national Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP) projects. It focuses on understanding and managing water movement in the Eastbourne and southern Wealden area; a complex environment influenced by tidal, fluvial, surface and groundwater sources. By working in such a challenging and varied landscape, the Blue Heart project is developing approaches that will inform and support similar initiatives across the UK and beyond.

Background and journey

Tegan’s journey began in New Zealand, growing up in a rural town north of Auckland, where her family ran a farm. Inspired by a lifelong connection to water and nature, she pursued a degree in Marine Science and Environmental Management, later working in river restoration and flood response roles. Her move to the UK was sparked by a desire for new experiences and global perspectives, a leap that led her to Waterman Aspen’s secondment services, and subsequently, a secondment at East Sussex County Council.

As Project Manager, Tegan coordinates six complex work streams within the Blue Heart project; community engagement, hydraulic modelling and flood warning, property flood resilience, telemetry, governance and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for schools. Her job is part strategy, part leadership, and part unifier – bringing together partners, subject matter experts and communities to drive meaningful environmental outcomes.

Challenges and impact

Tegan has faced the challenge of shifting from a hands-on delivery approach to a broader strategic project management position. This required a shift in mindset, but her adaptability and vision have kept the Blue Heart project on course, contributing to Eastbourne becoming one of the UK’s most heavily-monitored catchments.

Sharing her passion for the project, Tegan says; “We’re building something genuinely unique here – real-time surface water flood warnings, community-led change, and national-firsts in data sharing and integration. It’s a privilege to be part of the Blue Heart team.”

Looking ahead

Tegan is actively working toward her CIWEM chartership, supported by Waterman Aspen’s professional development initiatives. Her story is a powerful example of how international perspectives, collaborative leadership and community engagement can come together to create lasting impact. Through her work with Waterman Aspen and East Sussex County Council, she is shaping the future of flood resilience and environmental education.

---

You can learn more about how Waterman Aspen supports employee growth and skill development by visiting our Training & Development page.