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South West Water’s managing director, Stephen Bird, has died at the age of 60 following a short illness, the company has announced.
Bird, who died on 10 May, has been described by his company as “one of the most influential figures” in the South West’s business and environmental communities.
Bird began his career at South West Water, now owned by Pennon, in 1992 having previously worked within environmental consultancy, policy and regulation with the Welsh Water Authority and what was then the National Rivers Authority (a forerunner to the Environment Agency).
The 60-year-old was described as having an “encyclopaedic” knowledge of science, environmental matters and more and gained a PhD in aquatic modelling at Swansea University.
He took up the position of operations director in 2000 and became managing director in 2016.
During his long career with South West Water Bird oversaw transformative work to improve the water company’s environmental record following privatisation. This included the £2 billion Clean Sweep programme of bathing water quality improvements carried out in the 90s and early 2000s – the largest environmental clean-up of its kind in Europe according to the company.
Plymouth-born Bird’s legacy also includes the recently-constructed Mayflower drinking water treatment works which will serve the city and its surrounding area from late 2019 onwards.
Outside his responsibilities in the water industry, Bird was a board member on the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership from 2011 to 2017 and more recently chaired the Area European Structural Investment Fund Committee.
Bird’s other notable appointments included serving as a member of Defra’s programme monitoring committee overseeing rural development and helping to establish the South Devon University Technical College in Newton Abbot.
Last month Bird expressed his delight at South West Water being the only company to have its plan fast-tracked for approval in two consecutive price reviews.
The water company’s “New Deal” business plan “offers customers lower bills, further investment, a unique share scheme and more control in how the company is run.”
Bird said: “We’re pleased that the regulator thinks our plan sets the standard for the sector. It was shaped by our biggest ever customer consultation and we’re very grateful for the feedback we received. We listened very carefully to what was said and acted on what we heard.
“Our New Deal empowers customers to be part of our business and have more control, redefining the relationship between a water company and its customers. We look forward to continuing to make a real and positive difference in the communities we serve.”
His colleagues at South West Water have been quick to point out that his “strength of intellect and persona was matched by an equally impressive, deep-seated compassion for others and a sensitivity to people’s needs, particularly during difficult times”.
He is succeeded by his wife Hilary, their four children James, Hannah, Oliver and Harry, and grandchildren Jack and Reuben.
In a statement the family said he was “a dedicated and loving family man who was incredibly generous of spirit”.
“He leaves a huge hole in our hearts”, they added.
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