Welsh Water owner names new chairman

Welsh Water’s parent company, Glas Cymru, has appointed Alastair Lyons as its new chairman from 8 July, succeeding current chairman Robert Ayling.

Lyons has been chairman of Admiral, the Cardiff based FTSE 100 motor insurer, since 2000 and is also deputy chairman of Bovis Homes.

During an extensive executive career, he was chief executive of the National Provident Institution and the National and Provincial Building Society, managing director of the Insurance Division of Abbey National, and director of corporate projects at National Westminster Bank.

Speaking about his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to chair a business that plays as central a part in Welsh life as Welsh Water and whose constitution allows such a strong alignment of interest between itself and its customers, both now and over the long-term.”

Ayling joined the Glas Cymru Board in 2008 and has been chairman since 2010.

He has played a key role in guiding the company through the 2009 and 2014 regulatory price reviews, and the re-shaping of its core business in 2015 into three distinct business units – water, wastewater and retail services.

Welsh Water chief executive Chris Jones said: “Bob has led the Glas Cymru board with great distinction and has played a key role in helping transform the company – not least by challenging and scrutinising colleagues to ensure that we always deliver the best possible water and wastewater services to our customers, at the most affordable price.

“I look forward to welcoming Alastair as chairman of Glas Cymru. He brings with him extensive skills and experience at the very highest level and his demonstrable leadership qualities will help us build on the success that we have achieved so far so that we truly become a customer-led provider of the most essential of public services.”