Celebrating John Carter - a remarkable career

As we prepare to wave “Happy Retirement” to one of CAW’s longest serving and most well-loved team members, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible career of John Carter, a man whose dedication, resilience and kindness have shaped the Ringsend site and the culture around it for decades.

From Tractors to Treatment Plants

John’s working life began in the agricultural world, training as a fitter/technician working on tractors and farm machinery. It was hands-on, practical work that set him up for a bright and interesting future.

In 1989, he joined Anglian Water as an operator in mobile operations and maintenance. A workshop role followed, and after retraining as an electrician in Norwich, John became a Senior Mechanical and Electrical Craftsman.

A Period of Change and Development

The late 90s brought major organisational changes, but also new opportunities. John became involved in recruitment and operator training before moving into a process-focused Enhancer role in Colchester. From there, he stepped into coordinating a major plant refurbishment, an experience that would soon take his career in a whole new direction.

When CAW was established to manage the design, build, and subsequent operations and maintenance of a major upgrade of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment works, John answered the call to play a key role. Brought in as a Site Supervisor, he played an essential role in establishing processes, building local teams and overseeing the handover and commissioning of major parts of the plant. It was complex, high pressure and at times overwhelming. John describes it as “stressful but rewarding,” and from then on he didn’t look back, as six months turned into over 25 years!

Taking on Whatever Was Needed

As Ringsend expanded, John’s role evolved constantly. He wore many hats, from Manager to Project Director, and everything in between, but what never changed was his approach. He stepped in wherever there was a need, never hesitating to support a colleague, solve a problem or share his knowledge.

In 2004, life threw John an unexpected challenge when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. With Declan stepping into the role of Maintenance Manager whilst John recovered, John came through treatment and returned to a new chapter as Facilities Manager, and later Facilities & Imports Manager - a role he says he not only enjoyed, but genuinely loved, thanks to the “great bunch of people” around him.

Behind the scenes with John

Working Wednesday to Sunday since 2004, John’s days have always been full and varied. Wednesdays, in particular, are “manic,” his first priority being safety and ensuring all Gas Detectors and related equipment are in tip-top condition.

He has been the person colleagues naturally gravitate toward — for advice, for guidance, or simply because he’ll always make time for a question, no matter how small. One of his core beliefs has guided many new starters over the years:

“There’s no such thing as a stupid question.”

From contractors and tanker companies to compliance paperwork and troubleshooting, John’s contributions have touched almost every part of the operation.

Proudest Achievement: The CAW Family

When asked about achievements, John doesn’t list projects, milestones or titles. Instead, he talks about people and the camaraderie that has grown over the years, and about being part of the CAW family.

He was one of the founding members of the Morale Squad, a testament to his belief that a strong team spirit is just as important as strong technical skills. In fact, John is also the chief BBQ-er at our annual Pride and International Barbeques that give colleagues and contractors across the Ringsend site to connect and celebrate the diversity within the team.

What Makes CAW Special?

For John, the answer is simple: the people.

He values the openness and the fact that anyone, from a new starter to a senior leader, can have a conversation as equals. It’s a culture he has helped to build and one he is proud to leave behind.

He’s certainly made a lasting impact. Here’s what some of the colleagues who have known him the longest had to say:

Ciarán, McCausland, Technical Director

John was a mentor to me when I joined the team as a process technologist in 2008. Faced with a steep learning curve on a complex site, I could always rely on him for accurate, helpful information - he is a genuine treasure trove of knowledge! John is also the sort of guy you naturally become friends with over time, thanks to his gregarious and sunny nature. He’s one of CAW’s most well known faces and will be sincerely missed when he retires. I wish him all the very best and will be keeping in touch as he starts this well deserved new chapter.

Suzanne Taylor, Occupational Health Nurse

It has been a genuine pleasure to work with John throughout the last 25 years. He has always supported his colleagues and never hesitated to reach out when someone was struggling. He used his own experience with testicular cancer to educate the team on early diagnosis and strongly advocates for our Health Screening Initiative, encouraging many to take part. He has always been generous with his time, helping new starters and interns find their feet. As part of the Morale Squad, we also discovered his culinary talents. No one makes a better Christmas ham, and he’s a true grill miester. We wish him all the very best on his next (well-earned) adventure!

Michael Cahill, CAW Managing Director

John has given great service to both CAW and the Anglian Water Group for over three decades. In his time with CAW, he has seen it all, a steady hand throughout decades of change, always working with a combination of professionalism and approachability. Whether he was dealing with a complex operational issue or presiding over the grill at the many Ringsend site barbeques,

John made the plant feel like a community. His sense of fun and camaraderie will be missed by all his colleagues. We wish you all the very best with your future retirement plans.

Declan Maguire, Anglian Venture Holdings Managing Director

After over three decades of dedicated service to the Anglian Water Group and over 25 years of that on the Ringsend Works, John's commitment to his colleagues, the site, and the wider community has left a lasting impact. His professionalism, integrity, and unwavering support have shaped the CAW workplace for the better. His culinary skills, which were on display at every team event, brought people together and will last in the folklore of the team forever. We thank him sincerely and wish him every success in his retirement.

Conor Rush, Operations Director

I thank John for interviewing me back in 2002 and offering me my first job with CAW. He was incredibly welcoming when I joined, and he has always been that way with new staff. John has consistently recognised that the team is CAW’s most important asset, championing them and ensuring they had what they needed to do the job. The knowledge and capability he brought from Anglian Water in delivering a major O&M contract laid the foundations for CAW’s success over nearly 25 years across Ringsend, Sligo, Waterford and Kinnegar. I wish John all the very best in his retirement and remain personally grateful for the role he played in my own CAW career.

Looking Forward to Retirement

John is embracing retirement with enthusiasm and a full calendar. He’s heading to Malaysia for nearly three weeks, planning a house extension, and looking forward to spending more time outdoors and in the garden. Staying active is a priority, and helping others, as always, will come naturally.

And in true John style, he has already confirmed he’ll be back for the next CAW BBQ!