National Grid gas chief joins former Eon boss at Affinity Water

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National Grid director of gas transmission, Pauline Walsh, will be the new chief executive officer of Affinity Water, taking over from Simon Cocks at the end of April.

Prior to joining National Grid in 2015, Pauline held senior leadership roles at Havells-Sylvania, Fred Olsen, Phillips Electronics and the Ford. She has also worked for Esso and ABB and acts as a non-executive director to two companies with energy and land interests.

Affinity Water chairman, Tony Cocker, who joined the company last month after stepping down as Eon CEO last year, welcomed Walsh and thanked Cocks for his “leadership and significant contribution” as CEO.

Cocker said Walsh’s “extensive cross sector experience and a strong track record in leadership roles will help us make the most of the opportunities ahead”.

Walsh said she was “delighted” to join the firm, which was created in 2012 when Infracapital and Morgan Stanley bought Veolia’s water assets, selling them on last summer to a consortium including Allianz Capital Partners, HICL Infrastructure Company and DIF Tamblin.

“It’s an exciting time for the water industry and Affinity Water is well placed to respond to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Walsh.

“I am really looking forward to leading the team and working with the Board and investors to continue to provide high quality water services for 3.6 million people and businesses in the south east of England.

Cocks and former chairman Philip Nolan announced last summer they were to leave so that new leadership could take the company into its next price review in 2019.

New CEO Walsh will also be appointed a director of Affinity Water. Cocks will remain a non-executive director.

Related stories:

New Eon chief as Tony Cocker moves on

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