Gill Rider (CB, PhD, CCIPD) - Chair
Gill was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2016 and became Chair on 31 July 2020. Gill has been a member of the Pennon Group Board since 1 September 2012. Gill has a wealth of experience in leadership and governance across a broad range of sectors including professional services, education, not-for-profit and government. Gill was the senior independent director of Charles Taylor plc until its sale in January 2020. Formerly, she was head of the Civil Service Capability Group in the Cabinet Office, reporting to the Cabinet Secretary and prior to that, held a number of senior positions with Accentur LLP, culminating in the post of Chief Leadership Officer for the global firm. She was previously president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Chair of the council of the University of Southampton. Gill is currently a Non-Executive Director of Intertek Group plc where she is also chair of their remuneration committee. In addition to her PLC roles, Gill is also the President of the Marine Biological Association.
Susan Davy (BSc Hons, ACA) - Group Chief Executive Officer
Susan was appointed Chief Executive Officer for South West Water and Pennon Group on 31 July 2020. Having previously served on the South West Water Board as Finance and Regulatory Director from 31 August 2007 until 31 January 2015, Susan has been a member of the Pennon Group Board since appointment initially as Chief Financial Officer for Pennon Group on 1 February 2015. Susan’s knowledge of the industry, coupled with her financial and regulatory expertise, has underpinned the development of Pennon’s strategy which has included the value-creating acquisition of Bournemouth Water in 2015 and now Bristol Water, as well as the successful Viridor disposal process, all of which she has led. In her 25 years’ experience in the utility sector, Susan has also held a number of other senior roles in the water sector, including at Yorkshire Water Under her guidance South West Water is the only water company to have achieved fast-track status for two consecutive business plans – the first in 2014, the second in 2019. Susan is highly respected in the City and has been instrumental in building Pennon’s reputation. Susan is a Non-Executive Director and Audit Chair of Restore Plc, a member of the CBI President’s Committee, a Water UK Board member, Chair of the Water UK Audit and Finance Committee, member of the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership Council and was previously Chair of the CBI South West, having served as Chair from 2018-21 and a member of the A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) CFO leadership network.
Paul Boote (BSc Hons, FCA) - Group Finance Officer
Paul was appointed to the Board of Pennon Group plc on 8 July 2020. He is a member of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and the Pennon Executive. Paul is a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience, having also held senior finance roles at companies operating in the sport, construction and environmental infrastructure industries. He has held a number of senior roles at Pennon, most recently as Pennon’s Director of Treasury, Tax and Group Finance. During this time, he was responsible for the development of Pennon’s sector-leading sustainable debt portfolio, ensuring the Group maintains a responsible approach to tax, as well as leading on financial reporting matters. Paul has been instrumental in the development and successful implementation of the Group’s strategic review. He holds a number of directorships with Group subsidiary companies and is a key member of the Executive Finance Committee which he chairs. Paul’s knowledge of the Group and relationships with key external stakeholders, coupled with his corporate finance and financial reporting experience, provides continuity to the Board as the Group evolves through this strategic review period.
Jon Butterworth (MBE,MSc, Flod) – Independent Non-Executive Director
Jon was appointed to the Board on 28 September 2017. Jon was also appointed to the Pennon Group Board on 8 July 2020. Jon is the Chief Executive Officer of the UK Gas Business for National Grid Plc and a member of the National Grid Executive Committee. Jon has a distinguished track record and an immense depth of experience and knowledge within the utility sector, having begun his career over 44 years ago as an apprentice in British Gas. He has been the Managing Director of Northwest Gas, Global Environment and Sustainability Manager of Transco, National Operations Director of National Grid, Group Safety, Resilience and Environmental Director of National Grid Plc and formerly CEO of National Grid Ventures, building £3bn of growth in renewables across the USA and Europe. Jon’s utility background makes him keenly aware of the importance of maintaining a balance between performance and safety, and he constructively challenges the Board and management to constantly raise the bar in this area. Jon is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is a Director of National Grid Gas, National Grid Metering Limited, E. Tapp & Co Limited, Shopfittings Manchester Limited and TMA Property Limited. He is also an ex-Chair of the CORGI Board, an ex-Ambassador of the HM Young Offenders Programme and a trustee of the National Gas Museum Trust.
Iain Evans (CBE, BSc Hons, FCA, MBA) – Independent Non-Executive Director
Iain was appointed to the Board on 31 July 2020. Iain has been a member of the Pennon Group Board since appointment on 1 September 2018. Iain has 40 years of extensive global experience in advising companies and governments on issues of complex corporate strategy. In 1983, he co-founded L.E.K. Consulting in London and built it into one of the world’s largest and most respected corporate strategy consulting firms with a global footprint active in a wide range of industries. Iain was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Welsh Water plc in 1989 and served on the board for nearly 10 years, including five years as chair. As chair of the ESG Committee, Iain is leading the development of a sustainability programme that underpins the delivery of our strategy. Iain is a non-executive director of Bologna Topco Limited and continues to act as an independent corporate strategy consultant.
Claire Ighodaro (CBE, BSc Hons, FCMA, DUniv (Hon)) – Independent Non-Executive Director
Claire was appointed to the Board on 31 July 2020. Claire has been a member of the Pennon Group Board since appointment on 1 September 2019. Claire has held a number of senior roles and directorships of UK and international organisations and has extensive board experience, serving on audit and governance committees. Claire is a past president of CIMA and was the first woman to lead this organisation. She spent most of her executive career with BT plc. She has also held non-executive directorships across a diverse portfolio including Governance Committee Chair of Bank of America’s Merill Lynch International, Audit Committee Chair of Lloyd’s of London, Flood Re, The Open University and various UK public bodies including UK Trade & Investment and the British Council. As Chair of the Remuneration Committee Claire continues to steer the company’s approach on executive remuneration, ensuring that it is aligned with and supports the strategy. Claire is non-executive Chair of the Board and the Governance Committee for Axa XL - UK entities and Non-Executive Chair of the Audit Board of KPMG LLP.
Dorothy Burwell – Independent Non-Executive Director
Dorothy was appointed to the Board on 1 December 2022. Dorothy is a Partner and Global Partnership Board Member of FGS Global. She has more than 20 years of experience in banking and communications, specialising in natural resources and advising clients on issues including sustainability, strategy, and corporate communications. She is well-known for driving substantive diversity and inclusion agendas. Between 2002 and 2006 Dorothy held analyst and senior roles at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division in both London and New York as well as in the Firmwide Strategy Group, where she focused on proprietary mergers and acquisitions, and new business development. Dorothy graduated the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, USA, with a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration, Finance and Management. Dorothy is a Non-Executive Director at consumer packaged goods group, Post Holdings, Inc. Dorothy is also a Trustee of the Consumers’ Association charity, Which?, the largest independent consumer rights organisation in the UK.