Yorkshire Water has announced the appointment of a new Chair as it enters the next phase of delivering its largest ever investment programme across Yorkshire, designed to improve customer outcomes and environmental performance.
The current Board has successfully led the Company through an important period, including the PR24 Price Review process and established the foundations for the significant investment programme now underway. As Yorkshire Water now enters its next phase of development, it is natural that the Board transitions.
The news follows a planned governance review to reflect the company's transition following the first year of AMP8, its new ownership arrangements and the scale of the ongoing £8.3 billion investment programme.
With hundreds of projects progressing across Yorkshire and a clear focus on improving operational performance and upgrading infrastructure, the refreshed Board will bring additional experience in guiding complex infrastructure businesses through large-scale transformation programmes. Additional announcements are expected in the near future about new independent non-executive director appointments.
Appointment of Chair
Jonathan Lewis has been appointed as Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate and will become Chair of Yorkshire Water from 1 October 2026, succeeding Vanda Murray OBE DBA through a planned handover.
He brings extensive experience leading complex infrastructure and services businesses through periods of transformation and long-term investment. As Chair of Associated British Ports and former Chief Executive of Capita, Amec Foster Wheeler and senior executive at Halliburton, he has led major customer engagement, operational, financial and organisational change programmes, enabling businesses to improve delivery for their stakeholders.
Vanda Murray OBE DBA said:
"It has been a privilege to chair Yorkshire Water over the last five years. During that time, we've navigated significant regulatory and industry change, secured our ambitious AMP8 investment programme and strengthened the business for its next chapter through the support of our shareholders.
"While there remains much more to do, I'm proud that the company enters this next phase with a clear strategy, the largest investment programme in its history underway and the right leadership to deliver meaningful improvements for customers and the environment. I have great confidence in Yorkshire Water's future, and I wish Jonathan, the Board and everyone across the business every success."
Jonathan Lewis, Chair Designate commented:
"I'm delighted to be joining Yorkshire Water at such an important point in its journey. The business has supportive shareholders and a significant investment programme already underway that will deliver lasting improvements for customers, communities and the environment.
"I'm looking forward to working together with the Board, Nicola and the rest of the executive team to build on that progress, maintaining a relentless focus on delivering for our customers and the environment.”
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.