REG - SW (Finance) I PLC Southern Water LTD - Chair Designate Appointment

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06/05/2026 10:00

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RNS Number : 1309D  SW (Finance) I PLC  06 May 2026

 

 

SW (FINANCE) I PLC

(LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER: 549300BHN1HB5BNG2R96)

 

SOUTHERN WATER SERVICES LIMITED

 

 

CORPORATE UPDATE: CHAIR DESIGNATE APPOINTMENT

 

 

SW (FINANCE) I PLC (the "Company")

 

 

Southern Water appoints Andrew Davies as Chair Designate

 

 

6 May 2026

 

 

Southern Water today announces the appointment of Andrew Davies as an
independent Non-Executive director and Chair Designate. Andrew will join the
Board with immediate effect and will succeed Keith Lough as Chair on 16 July
2026. Keith, who has served as Chair since August 2019, will retire from the
Board on the same day.

 

Andrew brings extensive leadership experience across infrastructure,
construction and engineering. He was previously Chief Executive of Kier Group
plc from April 2019 to October 2025, where he led a significant transformation
of the business into one of the UK's leading infrastructure services,
construction and property groups.

 

Andrew has also served as Senior Independent Director of Chemring Group plc
between May 2016 and January 2025, and as Chief Executive of Wates Group
between January 2014 and January 2018.

 

Keith Lough, Chair of Southern Water, said:

 

"It has been a privilege to chair Southern Water over the last seven years
through sustained efforts to change the Company's culture and performance.
Progress is now visible and measurable and I am proud of the unstinting
commitment of our people and partners, under the leadership of our Chief
Executive, Lawrence Gosden, in making this happen.

 

"The business is now on a stronger footing, with a more resilient financial
position and a highly capable leadership team in place. With record levels of
investment underway, and with the Company's commitment to engagement and
openness, I am confident Southern Water will deliver the improvements our
customers want and the environment deserves.

 

"I am very pleased that Andrew Davies will be taking on the role as Chair. He
brings deep infrastructure experience and a strong track record as a business
leader. I am confident the Company will benefit from his expertise in the
years ahead."

 

Andrew Davies said:

 

"I'm delighted to be joining Southern Water and to be taking over from Keith
as Chair at such an important moment for the business and the wider sector.
Customers and regulators demand to see faster and more sustained improvements
in performance, and it's clear that the Company must continue to rise to that
challenge.

 

"Southern Water has made important progress in recent years, and I look
forward to working closely with Lawrence and his executive team to build on
these foundations. Together, our focus will be on delivering tangible, lasting
improvements for customers and the environment, while ensuring the business is
well positioned for the future."

 

 

Lawrence Gosden, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Water, said:

 

"I'd like to thank Keith for his counsel and support throughout his tenure. He
has been a highly committed Chair as we navigated a challenging regulatory and
political environment and executed the Southern Water turnaround plan.

 

"We're making significant progress in stabilising the business, having
strengthened our financial resilience, enhanced operational performance and
driven improvements in areas such as leakage, flooding and storm overflows.
There is still much to do, but we're beginning to see the benefits of the
changes we've made.

 

"Andrew's extensive experience leading delivery of infrastructure and major
projects is ideally suited to our context, as we implement the most ambitious
business plan the company has ever undertaken. I look forward to working with
him as we intensify our mission to deliver further improvements for customers
and the environment."

 

 

For further information, please contact Stuart Ledger (Group CFO) at:

Address:       Southern House, Yeoman Road, Worthing, BN13 3NX, United
Kingdom

 

Tel:               01903 272 611

 

Email:           stuart.ledger@southernwater.co.uk
(mailto:stuart.ledger@southernwater.co.uk)

 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Peter Hewer, Greenbrook.

Tel 0770 932 6261 Email: southernwater@greenbrookadvisory.com
(mailto:southernwater@greenbrookadvisory.com)

 

 

 

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