On 19th March 2026, the world of drainage lost a cornerstone of the industry as sadly Andy Pollard, MD & Owner of Wardsflex, unexpectedly passed away.
Andy was a figurehead of the wastewater industry, having been an integral part of Southern Water, and his latter career was as the MD and owner of Wardsflex based in Suffolk.
Andy purchased Wardsflex in 2009 from the late Mel Watkins and grew the business, which specialises in and manufactures drainage tools and accessories. Andy’s passion and knowledge of the whole wastewater industry grew the global reach of Wardsflex, and he was a prominent figure in many of the international exhibitions and trade fairs.
Andy was a big advocate of the charity Water Aid, too, and his legacy will live on in the industry. Anyone who had the chance to meet him has been shocked and saddened at his sudden passing.
Sharon Bowers, General Manager at Wardsflex, who worked alongside Andy both in the UK and at International trade shows since Andy bought the company in 2009, said, “The sudden loss of not only a great employer but also an even greater friend has left a huge void within the team at Wardsflex. Andy's desire and passion to build the Wardsflex legacy and brand that was so important to him is a mark of who Andy was as a human being. He will be missed by the entire Wardsflex team and the wider industry”
Mark Cox, Technical Sales Manager for GK&N Services, commented, “Having had the chance to spend time with Andy both professionally and socially its still difficult to believe that Andy is no longer with us. Andy's influence and support over the years of our friendship certainly shaped my career within the drainage industry, and for that, I will be eternally grateful. His knowledge was unrivalled, and his enthusiasm for his business was infectious. I will cherish the time I got to spend not only talking about the industry but also about Andy's family, who he was very proud of”.
Klaire Jones, Head of Strategic Growth at Dalrod UK, added, “When I first entered the drainage industry, Andy was the first person to invite me to his business and spend time with me going through the industry and providing valuable insights. Andy introduced me to many people and made me feel incredibly welcome in the industry. I knew I could always reach out if I needed any advice or support at all, and I will miss him greatly”.
Nathan Jones, Managing Director of Fullers Tankers, wrote, “I knew Andy Pollard from when he was with Southern Water and then even more when he purchased Wardsflex, and I purchased Fuller Tankers. We became very good friends from meeting up to go to IFAT in Munich and helping on our stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show. He was a very knowledgeable person in his field and a very likeable person with a good sense of humour to go with it. He would come and visit Chepstow at least once a year and stay over, and we enjoyed each other's company. He will be sadly missed by us at Fuller Tankers and within the Sewage Industry.”
Graham Nye, Owner and MD of Hydro Power “I first met Andy in the 1990’s when he was working for Southern Water. Andy, with the help of then Rioned distributor Mel Watkins, placed their first order of van packs, and we were asked to provide the service on them for Southern Water. My bond with Andy became stronger after the passing of Mel, and then sales manager for Rioned Simon Murfin. When Andy brought Wardsflex in 2009, he was a pleasure to work with again, and we often spent time together on a Saturday morning having a coffee and chewing the cud, as he would often drop us off on his way home to Chichester. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know and have spent time with him.”
Ken Burton, Owner of Kensway Engineering, commented, “It's still hard to comprehend that Andy is no longer with us. He was a genuine and down-to-earth character who always did things with a smile on his face and with a great sense of pride in both his professional life and personal life. The industry has lost one of the good guys, and I will remember the times we were together with great fondness”
Andy's reach spanned the globe as Dennis Mass Sales Manager of Trivex BV added, “I cannot express in words what a gentle, friendly, funny and fine person Andy truly was. Andy always had a smile, always calm and always there to help, not only as a business contact but also a friend. I will miss our summer drinks, and I will never forget our unplanned room sharing with Andy and Mel Watkins at the Oktoberfest in Germany”
Jan Pieters, CEO of Rioned, added, “I have known Andy for more than 25 years from his days at Southern Water, and we became friends alongside Mel Watkins. Andy was a well-known and respected person within our industry, not just in the UK but internationally also. Andy was kind, warm and a likeable person and a true professional in everything he did. He had a natural way of connecting with people and building long-lasting relationships based on trust, respect and sincerity. He leaves behind not only a successful business but also many memories with the people who had the privilege to know and work with him.”
Simon Beverley-Smith, Owner of Drain Trader Magazine, finished off by saying, "I first met Andy in person around 12 years ago at IFAT in Munich. It was my first real outing for Drain Trader, very much thrown in at the deep end in a foreign country, and Andy and Sharon immediately took me under their wing, even making sure I got on the right train back to my hotel at the end of the day.
A few years later, we bumped into each other again at the airport on the way to RO-KA-TECH. I’d hired a car and ended up giving them both a lift. Despite only having met a handful of times previously, including at a couple of UK trade shows, we spent the three-hour journey chatting like we’d known each other for years.
That was Andy all over. Super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, generous with his time, and just a genuinely great guy to be around. He also took the time to send his congratulations and good luck wishes when I announced I was taking over Drain Trader, something that meant a lot coming from somebody so respected within the industry.
The industry has lost a true character and a genuine gentleman. My thoughts are first and foremost with Andy’s family at this very sad time, as well as Sharon and the rest of the team at Wardsflex.”