Pennon Group CEO Susan Davy Announces Retirement After Nearly Five Years

Susan Davy, the Chief Executive Officer of Pennon Group, which operates South West Water, has announced her retirement after more than 18 years with the company and nearly 30 years in the water sector. She has served as CEO since July 2020 and previously as Chief Financial Officer. Her retirement comes shortly after Ofwat, the industry regulator, identified systemic failings at South West Water in managing wastewater treatment and sewer networks, resulting in more sewage spills than legally allowed. In response, South West Water proposed a £24 million enforcement package funded by the company and shareholders to address these issues, avoiding a £19 million fine from Ofwat. Under Davy's leadership, Pennon Group completed strategic acquisitions and a major sale of its waste-management business, Viridor, and announced a record £3.2 billion capital investment plan. Davy expressed pride in leading the company and emphasized that this moment, marked by regulatory approval of investment plans, was the right time to pass leadership to a new generation.