Katie Alcott (nee Harrison) MBE
Tuesday 04 June 2019
Katie Alcott (Old Herefordian 1994-1997) Katie grew up on the family farm and was schooled in Malvern before she moved to HCS to study GCSEs and A levels. Katie went on to read Fine Art at Bristol’s UWE. Katie’s interest in international issues, specifically access to drinking water, was sparked by a trip to India in 1997 when she contracted amoebic dysentery whilst teaching in Kashmir. Later, Katie travelled to several other developing nations to photograph and seek inspiration for her undergraduate studies. During these visits Katie witnessed the impact of poor water quality on local communities, and was moved to do something to help improve the situation. In 2005, Katie founded FRANK Water, a social enterprise, based on the concept of selling water in the UK as a means of providing clean water in other countries. She sold her own ethical brand of bottled water to local shops, cafes and restaurants and donated the profits to clean water projects. In 2007, Katie established FRANK Water Projects, a charity that could receive direct donations. FRANK Water has helped nearly 386,500 people in 442 villages to access safe, clean drinking water and receive sanitation and hygiene training. Katie has a team of 7 staff and over 200 dedicated volunteers, many of whom are involved in the innovative ‘Festival Refill’ initiative, developed as a more sustainable drinking water solution for UK festivals and events, massively reducing the use of single-use plastic bottles each year. Having raised over £4m, FRANK Water’s impact is far reaching, raising awareness of global issues; social enterprise; reducing single use plastic in the UK, and changing the lives of people in India and Nepal. Katie and FRANK Water have won numerous local and national awards. Katie was awarded an Honorary Degree (MBA) from UWE Bristol in 2013, and in 2018 is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law, in recognition of her pioneering work. Katie lives locally with her husband and three children.