Northumbrian Water CEO and former Dong chairman receive honours

Northumbrian Water Group’s (NWG) chief executive and the former chairman of Dong Energy UK were among the utilities leaders recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2018.

Heidi Mottram, CEO of NWG received a CBE for services to the water industry and business community.

Brent Cheshire, who retired as the chairman of Dong Energy UK [now Orsted] in June 2017, was also awarded with a CBE for services to the renewable energy sector.

Mottram joined NWG, which includes Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water, in 2009 and has driven the business to lead the way in customer service, environmental practice, innovation and social responsibility.

She said: “I feel incredibly proud to receive this honour. I am very lucky to have the privilege to lead such a fantastic organisation as Northumbrian Water Group and I hope this award also reflects the amazing work that our teams do to keep the water flowing for the customers and regions that we are proud to serve.”

Carolyn Fairbairn, director general at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), added: “Heidi has been at the forefront of the business community for some years now, displaying inspirational and innovative leadership in her time with Northumbrian Water Group.

“She has been a true champion for businesses and their role in wider society, and has been a strong advocate for firms in all corners of the country in her work with the CBI.”

Northumbrian Water won Utility Week’s Utility of the Year Award in December 2017 and most recently walked away with the Water Company of the Year title at the Water Industry Awards 2018 organised by Utility Week’s sister publications WWT and Wet News.

Meanwhile Cheshire was Dong Energy UK’s first employee in 2004 and retired as chairman in June 2017 after 13 years with the company.

He oversaw the firm’s rapid expansion and £6 billion was invested under his watch.

Ahead of his retirement, Cheshire said: “My career started in oil and gas, so to end up retiring from the UK’s leading offshore wind business has been quite a transformation for me, personally.

“Dong Energy has invested billions into the UK already and the business is in great shape to continue leading the energy transformation for many years to come.”

The chief executive of Dong Energy, Henrik Poulsen said Cheshire played “an absolutely fundamental role in the significant growth and success” of the UK business.

Dong Energy changed its name to Orsted in November last year.

John Loughhead, who was appointed chief scientific adviser for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in October 2014 was also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2018. He was made a Companion of the Order of Bath for services to research and development in the energy sector.

Also recognised in this year’s list were:

Order of the British Empire – Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

• David Eyton, group head of technology, BP for services to engineering and energy
• Colin Herron, managing director, Zero Carbon Futures for services to business and the renewable energy sector
• Jennifer Saunders, lately chief executive, National Energy Action for services to tackling fuel poverty

Order of the British Empire – Officers of the Order of the British Empire

• Deborah Greaves, head, School of Engineering, University of Plymouth for services to marine renewable energy, equalities and higher education
• Deirdre Michie, chief executive, Oil and Gas UK for services to the oil and gas industry

Order of the British Empire – Members of the Order of the British Empire

• Sonya Bedford, head of renewable energy, Stephens Scown LLP for services to community energy
• Alan Creighton, senior smart grid development engineer, Northern Powergrid for services to the energy industry
• Annette Heslop, financial director, Energy4All for services to community energy
• Ray Noble, director, Solar BIPV for services to renewable energy