The chair of South East Water, Chris Train, has resigned after a parliamentary report expressed 'no confidence' in the company's leadership following major water supply outages in Kent and Sussex. Independent non-executive chair Chris Train stepped down with immediate effect, replaced by interim chair Lisa Clement.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee criticised the leadership's incompetence and lack of accountability, stating that an inadequate governance framework failed to hold senior employees responsible. Thousands of customers were left without tap water, unable to shower or flush toilets during outages between November and January.
Community group Dry Wells Action, representing affected residents in Tunbridge Wells, called for chief executive David Hinton to also resign. The group welcomed Train's resignation but questioned why Hinton remains in post. South East Water said it was 'mutually agreed that new independent Board leadership is now required' and apologised for operational failures that led to a loss of public trust.
The Efra committee's report described the company as 'devoid of proper leadership' and 'riddled with cultural problems'. It urged shareholders—Utilities Trust of Australia, NatWest Group Pension Fund, and Desjardins Group—to hold the company accountable. MPs also raised concerns about the accuracy of Hinton's evidence and his lack of accountability during hearings.
Dry Wells Action called on the government to order regulators to join the board during a probationary period while the company's licence is assessed. The company plans to double investment in its water supply network over the next five years.
