Stephen Billingham, Executive Chairman of Punch Taverns plc, has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Anglian Water Group with immediate effect. He has previously been an independent Non-Executive Director, and Chairman of the Audit Committee having joined the Board in November 2014.
Stephen has been with Punch Taverns plc since September 2011 and will step down from executive duties at Punch Taverns in June. He was previously Group Finance Director of British Energy Group plc, which was the UK's largest electricity generator and WS Atkins plc, the UK's largest engineering consultancy. He previously also worked for BICC plc (now Balfour Beatty plc) and Severn Trent plc.
He is currently a Government appointed Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Urenco Ltd.
Stephen takes over as Chairman from Robert Napier CBE who, having previously been the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, stepped into the role of Chairman following Sir Adrian Montague’s move to Aviva and while the recruitment process for his successor was completed. Robert will remain as an Independent Non-Executive Director until his retirement in September.
Anglian Water Services has also appointed with immediate effect three further Independent Non-Executive Directors as the Board ensures it has available the appropriate mix of expertise and experience to drive forward its new business plan for the period to 2020.
John Hirst – joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director, and Chair of the Audit Committee
John was previously Chief Executive of the Met Office (2007 – 2014), and is currently a board member of Ultra Electronic Holdings plc, and Marsh Ltd. He is also the Chairman of Hammerson Pension Fund, and holds roles on several charity boards. John will take over as Chairman of the Audit Committee from Stephen Billingham.
Polly Courtice LVO – joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director
Polly is Director of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Founder Director of The Prince of Wales's Business and Sustainability Programme. She is a Director of Jupiter Green Investment Trust, an investment company specialising primarily in businesses with a significant focus on environmental solutions. Polly sits on environmental and sustainability advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Lloyds Banking Group and Nespresso.
Steve Good– joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director
Steve was previously Chief Executive of FTSE 250 manufacturing company Low and Bonar plc to 2014. He currently holds two other Non-Executive roles on the Boards of Elementis plc, and Zotefoams plc.
Incoming Chairman Stephen Billingham said: “I am delighted to welcome the very considerable experience of John, Polly and Steve to the Anglian Water Services Board. They each bring distinct and highly valuable skills that will assist the company as it addresses the significant challenges and opportunities posed by the next Asset Management Plan period, from 2015 to 2020.
“Taken together, these appointments strengthen the independent scrutiny the Board brings to Anglian Water’s business. We are all looking forward to working with the management team to deliver a Business Plan that meets the high expectations of our customers.”