Southern Water is getting ready to start a consultation process with employees to cut around 150 management and support roles.

Announcing the proposed cuts, the water company described the move as part of the transformation of the business to better serve customers now and in the future, commenting:

“Our customers and regulators quite rightly expect us to always provide the best possible service and value. That’s why at Southern Water we’re continually reviewing and changing our systems and processes to make sure they are fit for purpose now and for the future.”

Southern Water said that as part of this ongoing work it is planning to make changes most of which are about working more efficiently, which will help transform key aspects of its services while significantly reducing customers’ bills and building a resilient future for water in the South East.

However, the company will also seek to reduce approximately 150 management and support roles through a consultation process – the cuts will not affect front-line operational colleagues.

CEO Ian McAulay said;

“We care deeply about continually improving our business, increasing financial transparency and providing great services for our customers. To achieve this we are constantly reviewing our processes and making changes to the way we work. Change is not easy but this will help us improve our services for customers by transforming key aspects of the work we deliver, enabling us to build a resilient water future for the South East while also reducing customer bills.”

The water company described the move as a continuance of work already underway, including:

• Winding-up of its Cayman Islands finance subsidiary company by year end
• Making its financial structure and 100% UK tax status more transparent and easier to understand
• Planning changes to dividends paid to reflect the quality of public service it delivers
• Implementing new and highly ambitious approaches to secure a resilient water future for the South East

Southern Water said it would seek to offer staff alternative roles within the business – if this was not possible then it will offer voluntary redundancy. All employees affected by the changes will be offered full support in finding alternative employment outside of Southern Water, including CV writing and interview preparation. The water company will also provide access to counselling services.