Glas Cymru bolsters Board with three experienced new Non-Executive Directors

Glas Cymru, the not-for-shareholder company which owns Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, has today announced the appointment of three new Non-Executive Directors to its Board. The new appointees bring significant breadth of expertise to support Welsh Water's delivery of service improvements and its largest ever investment programme over 2025-2030.

The three new members join the Board as Chairs of three of its committees. A fourth new Non-Executive Director is expected to be announced in the new year.

Darren James, Darren Pope and Alison Wilcox will join the Board with effect from 1^st January 2025 taking on the Chair role of the Performance and Safety Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee respectively.

The appointments are made following the retirement of Alastair Lyons as Chair with Jane Hanson CBE taking on the role from 1^st January 2025.

Jane has stood down as Chair of the company's Audit and Risk Committee and a further vacancy was created following Barbara Moorhouse's decision to step down as Chair of the Performance and Safety Committee at the end of 2024. Jo Kenrick, who is currently Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, will stand down as Chair of the Committee during 2025.

Following the appointments, Jane Hanson, said,

"I am thrilled to welcome Darren, Darren and Alison to the Dŵr Cymru Board.  Each brings with them an impressive record of leadership and experience that will be instrumental as we increase our laser-like focus on improving performance for our customers, protecting the environment and delivering our largest-ever investment programme.  

"Their collective knowledge and expertise will enhance the Board's capability as we tackle the challenges ahead and strive to deliver long term value for our communities through the successful delivery of our ambitious plans and the delivery of over £4bn investment over the next 5 years. These appointments reinforce Dŵr Cymru's commitment to innovation, asset resilience and customer service excellence"

Darren James is the CEO of AUREOS a multi-disciplinary energy and transport networks engineering services provider. AUREOS was recently formed by the acquisition of the Infrastructure business of the Keltbray Group.

A fluent Welsh speaker, Darren lives in Swansea. His formative career comprised over 30 years with Costain Group PLC latterly as Chief Operating Officer. In 2020 he became CEO and Main Board Director at Keltbray, a Built Environment and Infrastructure specialist contractor, until the creation of AUREOS in August 2024. Darren will become Chair of the Performance and Safety Committee on 1st January 2025.

Darren James said, "Customer and stakeholders' expectations of the water sector have increased significantly in recent years and therefore improving performance is crucial to build customer trust over the coming years. Dŵr Cymru has historically had a strong record and I'm looking forward to the challenge and working with the Board and Executive team to return to being a high-performing company."

Darren Pope spent his executive career in the financial services sector, culminating as Chief Financial Officer of TSB between 2014 and 2016. In September, he became Audit Chair and a member of the Board Risk Committee of Starling Bank, the challenger bank founded in 2014. Darren is also Audit Chair and member of the Board Risk Committee of the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown (standing down in 2025). Darren will become Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee on 1^st January 2025.

Darren Pope said, "Dŵr Cymru's unique ownership model in the water sector allows it to take a long-term view, but there are many risks and challenges ahead - especially relating to climate change as witnessed by the numerous storms that have hit Wales in recent weeks. As a vital public service, preparing for such increased risks is key, and I look forward to working with the new Board and Executive Team for the benefit of our customers and communities."

Alison Wilcox is a former Group HR Director for BT and Europe Regional HR Director for Vodafone with over 25 years' experience of operating at CEO and board level roles in divisional, corporate and consulting HR roles.

Alison is also a former Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair for Shepherd Building Group, whose flagship business Portakabin is Europe's market leading modular building innovator. Currently Alison serves as a Trustee Board Member and Nominations Committee Chair for Health Data Research UK.

Alison will take on the role of Remuneration Committee Chair later in 2025, when the current Chair, Jo Kenrick, stands down.

Alison Wilcox said, "Dŵr Cymru has a very strong company ethos and culture. As the sector goes through significant reform and faces multiple challenges, the Board has an important role to play to ensure the customer-focussed culture is maintained and that we drive the service improvements our customers want to see."

The company is also expected to confirm a fourth new Non-Executive Director in the New Year.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

·    Welsh Water is unique in the water industry as it is owned on behalf of customers

·    Since 2001, it has been owned by Glas Cymru which was formed in April 2001 for the sole purpose of acquiring and owning Welsh Water.

·    It does not have shareholders, and any financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of customers

·    Welsh Water is investing heavily and working hard to ensure top quality services to all the communities it serves

·    The company serves most of Wales, Deeside and Herefordshire. It is one of 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales and is the sixth largest.

·    Alastair Lyons and Barbara Moorhouse will stand down as Chair and Non-Executive Director respectively on 31 December 2024.