Our People

The TIDE Services Senior Management Team and Management Team are responsible for the strategic direction and operations of Anglian Water Direct, digdat and Geodesys.

Our Management Team

Tim O'Brien
Managing Director
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Tim O'Brien

Managing Director

Tim started working for the Anglian Water Group as a Graduate Management Trainee in 1993, since which he has held multiple management roles within the business including Business Manager for Anglian Water Direct, Head of Strategy and Development for Geodesys and Strategy and Development Director of TIDE Services. In January 2021 Tim took on the role of TIDE Services Managing Director where he is responsible for the growth and development of the Anglian Water Direct, digdat and Geodesys brands. In his free time, Tim enjoys spending time outdoors and whenever possible heads for the hills to ski, bike or climb.

Ellie Player
Head of Geodesys
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Ellie Player

Head of Geodesys

Ellie is Head of Geodesys and has worked within the Anglian Water Group since 2008, originally as Marketing Manager for Geodesys, before becoming Head of Marketing for TIDE Services in 2018. Prior to joining the Anglian Water Group Ellie worked in marketing in a variety of industries, most recently in the property industry as Marketing Manager for Taylor Wimpey. Today, Ellie is responsible for delivering the Geodesys business plan and for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the Geodesys business. In her spare time, Ellie likes to keep active with circuit training, running and bike rides with the family.

Richard Barry
Head of IT and Solutions
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Richard Barry

Head of IT and Solutions

Richard began life as a graduate working with GIS within the Anglian Water Group before moving into software development. In 2010 he became Software Development Manager, leading the Geodesys and digdat teams as they advanced the IT solutions and developed new and exciting systems for the Utilities industry. In 2018 Richard took on the role of Head of IT and Solutions for TIDE and now heads up the TIDE delivery teams and IT support, working across all the TIDE brands to deliver solutions that meet the needs of our clients. Under Richard’s direction the delivery teams continue to innovate and bring new software and systems to market. When he’s not working, Richard spends his time with his family, building and fixing vehicles and getting out on his bike when he can.

Steve Wrightam
Head of digdat
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Steve Wrightam

Head of digdat

Steve joined TIDE services in October 2022 as Head of digdat. He oversees the digdat team and is responsible for driving the commercial strategy. Previously Steve worked as Commercial Director for technology company Voice Connect Ltd. which specialised in data integrations, messaging services, and lone worker systems. Steve is a keen sports fan. When he’s not at work you can find him helping out at his local athletics club, as team manager and coach, or at Bosworth RFC where he is the unofficial team photographer.

Graham Newell
Finance Manager
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Graham Newell

Finance Manager

Graham has worked within the Anglian Water Group for over 20 years. His career began in 1998 working within the Payroll Department of Anglian Water Services, and after holding various roles there opted to switch career path to that of Finance and embarked on a journey to become a Chartered Accountant. In 2006 Graham took up the post of Management Accountant within Anglian Water Services looking after the needs of the enabling support functions. In 2011 he joined what is now TIDE services in the role of Finance Manager and juggles his time across both TIDE services and the Geodesys, digdat and Anglian Water Direct businesses assisting in the management of a variety of tasks which include Management and Statutory Accounts Production, Purchase & Sales Ledger Management, Cash Management, Budgeting and Forecasting, to mention just a few. Graham very much enjoys his home comforts. His favourite past time is spending time with his daughter where he can often be found watching episodes of Barbie Dream House or playing with LOL dolls! In recent times he has discovered the joys of gardening and growing his own salad and vegetables - any remaining time is spent as an avid armchair sports fan and in particular football where he currently spends many hours of frustration watching Manchester United struggle to emulate the glory years.

Jonny Davey
Geodesys Business Development Manager
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Jonny Davey

Geodesys Business Development Manager

Jonny has 25+ years of product and business development experience from various industries and joined the Geodesys team in 2015. The role means Jonny is responsible for relationships and partnerships with third party external suppliers, as well as driving and managing the business development activities of the sales team to both direct customers and resellers alike. He acts as a key conduit internally between the sales team under his management, customer services, marketing and development so as to release, promote and support the best possible line up of products and services to our clients. Often involved in presentations, webinars and events, Jonny’s broad knowledge of the conveyancing market helps shape the direction TIDE takes now and into the future. When not working Jonny collects, buys and sells comics and graphic novels, as well as trying to take care of a seemingly endless list of DIY jobs at home. Camping trips with his family and being an avid armchair football fan help him to relax.

Nick Hill
Customer Services Team Manager
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Nick Hill

Customer Services Team Manager

Nick joined TIDE as a Customer Service Advisor in 2019 and quickly became an integral part of the team. He moved into a Senior Customer Service Advisor position in 2021 and became Customer Services Team Manager in March 2022.

Richard Ford
Product Manager - Consumer Products
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Richard Ford

Product Manager - Consumer Products

Richard began working for Anglian Water Direct, now a TIDE brand, in 2007 following several years at Three Valleys Water (now Affinity Water). He was appointed as Product Manager in 2008 to look after the day-to-day dealings with AWD’s business partners to bring home emergency insurance products through HomeServe and water efficiency gardening products fulfilled by Aqualogic to Anglian Water customers. In this role, Richard works closely with HomeServe’s account management, marketing and customer services teams. He also engages with the Anglian Water Call Centre Management team to ensure the smooth running of the value added service (VAS) activity as well as other relevant departments within Anglian Water. Outside of work, Richard enjoys playing music and getting out into the countryside on his bike.

Sandie Gathergood
Application Support Manager
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Sandie Gathergood

Application Support Manager

Sandie started with Anglian Water Group back in 2006 within Strategic Asset Management as a Development Analyst. She moved over to Geodesys and digdat in 2010 as Product Development Manager to enhance product offerings for both brands, introducing the digdat Utilities chargeable self-service solution. In later years, as Systems and Process Development Manager, she introduced a Customer Relationship Management system, improving communication and better understanding of the Geodesys customer base. In 2016 Sandie took on the role of Application Support Manager, working across all the TIDE brands to provide first and second line support, improve data quality and the maintenance of national and asset data sets for all contracts, websites, systems and services. Under Sandie’s direction the Application Support team continue to enhance automation processes and support all areas of TIDE. Sandie has a zest for overseas travel, taking every opportunity available to immerse herself in everything that a country has to offer, embracing their culture, customs and not forgetting the cuisine!