World-renowned biologist, Professor Jacquie McGlade, and the former Chief Executive of Which? Peter Vicary-Smith, are among the newest board appointments within one of the North East’s largest companies.
Two new Independent Non-Executive Directors (iNEDs) have joined the board of Northumbrian Water Limited.
Natural scientist, Professor McGlade is the company’s new advocate on environmental issues. Formerly a Board Member at the Environment Agency, she is recognised globally as a leading researcher in the fields of ecosystems and human health, climate change, natural capital and dynamical systems modelling.
Professor McGlade was previously UN Environment Chief Scientist and Global Director of Science 2013-2017 and Executive Director of the European Environment Agency 2003-2013, where she was responsible for 32 EU, EEA and Associate member states’ data, reporting and assessment on the environment.
Joining Professor McGlade is Mr Peter Vicary-Smith, who is the new champion for customer-related issues.
Mr Vicary-Smith served as the Chief Executive of the consumer organisation Which? for 14 years. Prior to that his background was in marketing, and included roles as a strategy consultant at McKinsey, leading fundraising for Oxfam, and as Commercial Director at Cancer Research UK.
Mr Vicary-Smith and Professor McGlade both join NWL’s Audit Committee, Risk & Compliance Sub-committee and Mr Vicary-Smith also joins the Remuneration and Nomination Committees.
At the same time, the company will be saying goodbye to Mr Martin Negre, who has served as an iNed since 2006.
Mr Andy Hunter, Chairman of Northumbrian Water Ltd, said: “Independent Non-Executive Directors play a very important role on our Board, drawing on their vast experience in a wide range of relevant fields to help and constructively challenge management and their fellow Directors to run the business efficiently while delivering the best service possible for our customers.
“Over the past 15 years, Martin has given great service to Northumbrian Water, its people and its customers, and I would like to express my personal gratitude to him, as well as that of the whole Board, for helping shape so much of what we do now and our plans for the coming years.
“We look forward to working with both Jacquie and Peter and we are certain that we will benefit greatly from their input as we drive our business forward through challenging, yet exciting times.”