Water 2012

Colin Skellett

Executive Chairman, Wessex Water

Biography

Colin Skellett was born in Nottingham and has lived in the Bristol and Bath area for over 40 years.  He is a scientist and engineer by training, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and has worked largely in the water industry for over 40 years.   

He has had non-executive roles in rail, travel and international infrastructure businesses.  He served on the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency and is involved with a number of charities.

Colin is currently Executive Chairman of Wessex Water, non-executive Chairman of European Connoisseurs Travel, joint Chairman of BusinessWest, and Chairman of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

Colum Goodchild

Water Asset Strategy Manager, Northumbrian Water

Biography

• Academic background in Environmental Sciences and Water Management (posh Geography).
• Joined Essex & Suffolk water as a graduate trainee in 2000, working in various areas of the business before finding a home in Water Distribution.
• From 2002 responsible for overseeing maintenance and refurbishment activities on the Companies strategic network (big pipes). Also, co-ordinating investment activities in the Distribution Network arena. I developed skills in engineering and finance.
• Transferred to Northumbrian Water in 2006 to compile the Company’s period review submission for water networks – analysing investment needs to compile a robust forecast for the 2010-2015 period. Also managing the day to day activity of the Asset Strategy team responsible for all water assets. 
• Recently completed an MBA with Durham University
• Actively involved with my local church in Durham – sitting on the PCC and helping out with the youth group.

Richard Flint

Chief Executive Officer, Yorkshire Water

Biography

Richard was appointed Chief Executive of Kelda Group and Yorkshire Water Services Ltd in April 2010.  Prior to that he was the Chief Operating Officer of Yorkshire Water (2008-2010) and Director of the company’s Water Business Unit (2003-2008).  He is Chairman of Kelda Water Services, a member of the Water UK Board and a WaterAid Trustee.  He was previously chairman of Bradford’s Business in the Community initiative. 

Richard's  career  has  had  a  heavy  focus  on  leading change, including introducing  competitive  market working practices into the regulated water business,  the  real-time  automation  of  the Yorkshire Water production platform and innovations in service experience and delivery. 

He has recently led a major reorganisation of Yorkshire Water to ensure the company’s 4.8m customers continue to benefit from industry-leading levels of service and environmental excellence.

Regina Finn

Chief Executive, Ofwat

Biography

Regina Finn is the Chief Executive of Ofwat, the water regulator for England and Wales.  She has extensive experience regulating utility sectors, including the electricity and natural gas sectors in Ireland, the telecommunications, post and electricity sectors in Guernsey in the Channel Islands and the communications sector in Ireland.