News / Press releases

09/03/2010

Glas Cymru appoints Chairman Designate

Glas Cymru Cyfyngedig, the not-for-profit owner of Wales based utility Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, today announces the appointment of Bob Ayling as Chairman Designate.  He will succeed Lord Burns (who announced his intention to stand down at a meeting of the Members of Glas Cymru in December) after the company's AGM in July 2010.

John Bryant (Senior Independent Director) said: “Bob has been a non-executive director of Glas Cymru for almost two years, during which time he has made an excellent contribution.  He brings knowledge of government and regulation as well as experience of running a large customer service organisation.  This is a time of considerable challenge and change for the business and the Board is delighted to have someone of Bob’s calibre as Chairman.”

The Appointments Committee of the Board, led by John Bryant, was advised throughout the process by a leading independent firm of recruitment consultants.

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Enquiries to the Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water press office on 029 2055 6140.

Editors notes:

1. Glas Cymru was formed in April 2000 for the sole purpose of acquiring Welsh Water. It is a ‘company limited by guarantee’ registered under the Companies Act 1985. Glas Cymru has no shareholders. Instead, Members carry out an important corporate governance role but they do not receive dividends nor do they have any other financial interest in the Company. This corporate structure ensures that all financial surpluses generated are retained and reinvested for the benefit of Welsh Water and its customers.
   
   
2. Glas Cymru’s constitution strictly limits its purpose to that of financing water assets in Welsh Water’s area of appointment and managing Welsh Water’s business so that high quality water and sewerage services are delivered at least cost to the communities served by Welsh Water. Glas Cymru cannot diversify into other unrelated commercial activities.
   
   
3. Bob Ayling was appointed a non-executive director of Glas Cymru and Welsh Water on 3 April 2008.  He is Vice-Chairman of Dyson Limited and Chairman of the International Dispute Resolution Centre.  A solicitor by profession, with 20 years in the City of London and as a senior government legal advisor at the Department of Trade and Industry, he was Managing Director and Chief Executive of British Airways plc from 1993 to 2000.  He is also a former Chairman of Holidaybreak plc and non Executive Director of Royal & Sunalliance Insurance Group.

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