United Utilities appoints new non-executive director

United Utilities Group has appointed Clare Hayward as an independent non-executive director with effect from 16 April 2024. On appointment, she will become a member of the board’s nomination committee and the environment, sustainability and governance committee.

Hayward (pictured) has chaired the NP11 group of northern local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) since June 2023, and the Cheshire and Warrington LEP since May 2020, having been a member of its board since 2015. 

Hayward has worked internationally with boards and senior management teams over the past 20 years in industry sectors, including technology, banking, natural resources, manufacturing and retail. She co-founded and sold two international leadership consulting businesses and has established a strong reputation for championing the North West’s diverse communities and supporting social enterprises.

United Utilities’ chair, Sir David Higgins, said: “Her entrepreneurial background will bring a fresh approach to our board thinking.”

Hayward has strong links with central and local government – she has been deputy lieutenant for Cheshire since 2013 and will begin her year’s appointment as high sheriff of Cheshire in April 2024. She co-founded leadership and talent consultancy, Cirrus, which was sold to Accenture in 2021. Previously she co-founded leadership development consultancy Academee in 1993, before selling it to Oliver Wyman in 2008. 

Her charity and community experience includes providing governance support as a Housing Trust board member and as a hospice ambassador, helping to create Hospice at Home in east Cheshire.