Scottish Water has appointed Alex Plant as the new Chief Executive to lead the company to take over from Douglas Millican when he steps down from the role on 31 May 2023 after a decade in post.

Alex Plant is currently Director of Strategy and Regulation at Anglian Water, which supplies services to 7 million people and is the largest company in England by geographical area covered.

The appointment was made after a recruitment process undertaken by Scottish Water’s board and led by chair Dame Susan Rice. The Scottish Government has approved the appointment.

Dame Susan said:

“After a wide-reaching search, I’m delighted that Alex Plant will become Chief Executive of Scottish Water in June. Alex brings a unique blend of experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, and in organisations large and small. Through his very interesting career consistently runs a thread of public service and of genuine commitment to communities, customers and staff. I have no doubt that Alex will smoothly pick up where Douglas leaves off. As a strategist and an implementer, Alex is well poised to lead Scottish Water into the future.”

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Michael Matheson, said:

“I congratulate Alex Plant on his appointment, and I look forward to working with him to continue to support the delivery of Scottish Water’s vital services.

“It is clear that there will be challenges ahead with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, and with the need to address and adapt to climate change when delivering water services.

“But I am encouraged by the progress that has already been made by Scottish Water, with £623m being invested in 2021-22 to upgrade essential treatment works and the water supply and sewerage networks. High customer satisfaction levels and strong performance in drinking water quality, along with reducing environmental impacts, are a record I’m sure Alex will want to build upon.”

Commenting on his new role, Alex Plant said:

“I am hugely excited to be taking up this role in an organisation which plays such a vital role in the daily lives of so many people. I look forward to meeting the people who deliver these services, our stakeholders and the communities we serve. A key challenge will be taking forward the transformation work which is already underway. This will ensure that Scotland's water and waste water services continue to provide value for money and provide confidence for customers as we face some real challenges, especially around climate change.”

Douglas Millican has been Chief Executive since October 2012 – he has welcomed the Board’s appointment, adding he looked forward to working with Alex Plant to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

Alex Plant has been with Anglian Water since 2015 and will take up his new role in June 2023. Prior to that he held positions in the Royal Mail, Cambridgeshire County Council, Civil Aviation Authority and HM Treasury, as well as having held several non-executive director roles. Scottish Water said the salary for the CEO role is £295,000, less than any comparable water company Chief Executive in Great Britain.