WARRINGTON-based United Utilities – the North West’s water provider – has announced the appointment of its first female chief executive officer.
And Louise Beardmore’s first action was to pledge to help make the region stronger, greener and healthier.
She announced that the water company is planning to bring forward investment to the tune of £914 million with region-wide benefits, reducing spills from storm overflows, creating jobs and boosting the resilience of communities and the local environment.
She said: “I am very clear about the responsibilities United Utilities has to deliver great services for customers, to protect and enhance the environment and to ensure we are investing in the infrastructure we need in the region to support future growth and climate change.
“We have an ambitious plan, including the largest investment programme we have ever delivered as we seek to enable a step change in environmental performance right across the region. I know we have much more to do, addressing the things that matter most to our customers and which benefit the region and I am committed to doing that.
“I am equally passionate about protecting those households who are struggling financially which is why we have sector-leading support packages available for those who need help with their water bills. I am keen we strengthen that support as we move forward too.
“I look forward to working with many other organisations and partners across the North West as collaboration is key to the continued success of the place we all call home.
“We have a dedicated workforce, proud to be serving the people of this region and I’m excited to get started in my new role because there’s a lot to do.”
The accelerated funding is subject to consultation with stakeholders until Monday 24
The £914 million is broken down as follows:
• £719 million for reducing storm overflow spills, helping protect water quality at inland waterways across the North West – including Windermere in the Lake District
• £117 million for habitat improvements in and around the River Eden in Cumbria
• £78 million to reduce the frequency of storm overflow spills into bathing waters
1 Comment
Sounds like a bean counter or worse still an HR professional. If you actually want to improve water infrastructure and its operational performance and the targeted delivery of projects you need a real Engineer in charge female or maie does not matter. Spin does not provide treatment capacity, reduce leaks and overflows or optimize networks or predict future demand. In the USA and Germany the CEO’s of engineering organizations are engineers. Why do the Brits still think a generic manger can run anything, well they can but it is usually into the ground.