Water UK chairman to step down

Water UK's chairman, Peter Simpson, is to step down this summer, the industry body has announced today.

Simpson, who is also managing director of Anglian Water, took the role of chair in 2012 on the understanding that he would review the position after one year. He said he now wished to focus on leading Anglian Water’s preparations for PR14. 

Commenting on his decision, Simpson said: “I have enjoyed the challenge of chairing Water UK and I look back on our achievements together with real satisfaction. In addition to seeing through the challenge of moving forward on licence modifications, I am particularly pleased with our work in response to the drought which has really moved things forward. 

“I was involved in setting up, and sitting on, the National Drought Management Group and worked closely with the industry on not only the response to the drought, but pursuing a legacy which now includes Defra proposing a possible resilience duty for Ofwat, and a minimum level of service for water resource management plans. And I am pleased to have successfully encouraged Water UK to open its membership to new entrants.” 

The board thanked Simpson for his commitment and dedication to Water UK. 

“We would like to place on record our thanks to Peter for his real commitment and dedication to Water UK, and to thank him for his many achievements which have been delivered at a time of real challenge and change. The time and energy that Peter has given has been remarkable, and we will miss his significant contribution as our chair,” the board said. 

However, following Simpson’s decision, Water UK’s board said in future the body would be best served by an independent chairman and it would make arrangements to achieve this.