An Interview with Claire Zambuni, Founder of the UK River Summit and Festival
What inspired you to start the UK River Summit and how has the vision evolved?
The UK River Summit began with a very simple idea: to create a space where people from all backgrounds could come together to celebrate and connect over rivers – transparent, inclusive, and public-facing. I’ve always felt that rivers have this gentle way of bringing people back to what really matters. From the start, the vision was to create something inclusive—where anglers, artists, ecologists, farmers, swimmers, and anyone who simply loves a riverbank could come together, feel heard, and be part of something meaningful. It all started in 2022 with a celebratory River Festival in the foothills of the Pyrenees, created by myself and my inspirational team of two women—Emma and Iona—while I was still running Zambuni Communications. That event was the seed of what has now grown into the UK River Summit and broader charity. With Zambuni Communications now closed so I can focus entirely on the Summit and Festival, I want to acknowledge and honour the energy, creativity and passion that Emma and Iona brought to those early days. Their belief in the concept helped bring it to life. What began as a small gathering has already evolved into a much wider movement—one that blends art, science, community and storytelling to protect and honour our rivers.
This year marks a milestone with the River Summit & Festival becoming a registered charity. What does that mean for the future of the event and its impact?
Becoming a registered charity is a big step—it gives us the structure we need to grow sustainably and expand the reach and impact of the Summit. It also allows us to support year-round work and spark more grassroots River Summit and Festival projects around river health. But this is still very much a passion project—essentially run by just me—so every bit of help matters. That’s why I’m genuinely so grateful for those who have come forward already: individuals, organisations and artists who are investing their time, ideas and energy into the charity. It’s so heartening to know they believe in the concept and want to be part of it. Their involvement means everything as does the involvement of our partners, most of who have been with us since the beginning such as Orvis UK who provide support from hosting the ticket sales to supporting with marketing activities. As we grow, we’re looking to build partnerships with organisations who truly share our values and care about the future of our rivers. We’re mindful about who we work with—it’s important that any support reflects a genuine commitment to positive change, not just a box-ticking exercise.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing our rivers today and how does the event aim to address them?
There are certainly many organisations working in the river space, and while that’s encouraging, it can also feel a little fragmented at times. There are many wonderful projects being initiated and if we can bring some of these together for the public to engage in then that’s a win. The River Summit and Festival is proud to remain fiercely independent, which allows us to be agile, collaborative, and to make sure every single penny we receive works as hard as it possibly can. For us, the real challenge is ensuring that passion is translated into meaningful, joined-up action—especially at a local level. That’s where we see the Summit making a real difference: by connecting people, building trust across sectors, and catalysing partnerships that lead to tangible results. Last year’s event on the River Wandle, only our second, became the starting point for impactful collaborations in both restoration and long-term planning. It showed that even a small team with the right focus can spark something powerful.
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The UK River Summit brings together a diverse mix of voices. Why is this cross-sector collaboration so important?
Because rivers touch (and are vital for) everyone’s lives—they’re not owned by one group or one profession. And while conservation is full of dedicated people, it’s still one of the least diverse sectors out there. That can limit how problems are framed and who feels welcome in the conversation. The Summit intentionally opens the door to new voices—from landowners to youth activists, scientists to poets. We believe real solutions come when creativity meets expertise, and when unexpected connections are made. Whether it’s a local business owner, a campaigner, or someone who’s never spoken publicly before, everyone has something valuable to bring. That’s what makes the Summit different—it’s not just a conference, it’s a space for connection and momentum.
At the confluence of creativity, science, and environmental activism, the UK River Summit has become a vital platform for dialogue and action around the health of our rivers. This year, the Summit takes a transformative leap forward by introducing the UK’s first real-time river safety monitoring system, which is an innovative collaboration between Proteus Instruments and The River Summit. Installed near Windsor where the Jubilee River meets the Thames, this new technology gives the public immediate access to live E. coli data through a simple QR code scan. Whether you're swimming, paddling, walking your dog, or just enjoying the riverside, you can now make informed decisions about water safety in seconds. By turning smartphones into tools for public health and river stewardship, this initiative exemplifies how science and community empowerment can come together to protect the waters we love. Learn more about the The River Summit x Proteous E. coli Project.
