Water UK chief to stand down in spring

Water UK chief executive, Christine McGourty, has announced she will be standing down in the spring of 2023.

During her tenure of over three years, McGourty (pictured) has steered the water industry association through the Covid-19 pandemic and led it during a period of intense activity for the sector.

This has included leading the water sector’s activities at COP26 in Glasgow and launching the industry’s ground-breaking Net Zero 2030 Routemap, as well as its 21st Century Rivers report and the Leakage Routemap. In addition, she led on the production of the Water UK 2050 Vision, which sets out a positive ambition for the sector to address the significant challenges presented by population growth and climate change.

Recruitment is underway for a successor, and McGourty will stay in post until then to ensure a smooth handover. McGourty said: "With a clear strategy and a fantastic team in place, there's a great opportunity for someone new to take the organisation to the next stage."

Water UK's chair, Anthony Ferrar, said McGourty had: "transformed the organisation and been an inspiring leader for Water UK and the sector... and her energy and collaborative spirit have had a hugely positive impact on the industry’s work.”