Martin Baggs, former CEO of Thames Water, and Peter Gerstrom, former CEO of Cory Environmental, have joined the Board of environmental charity Thames21 to help deliver its new Five Year Plan.
Martin Baggs headed up Thames Water from 2009-2016, managing the largest water and wastewater business in the UK, serving 15 million customers. During his time there, he also oversaw the development of the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel.
He was previously an Executive Director at Macquarie, responsible for the portfolio of utility investments across Europe. His long track record in the water industry has encompassed senior roles at South East Water and Southern Water. He is a also Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators.
Martin Baggs said:
“Having worked in the water industry for more than 30 years I am absolutely passionate about the environment and I am proud to have been a strong supporter of Thames21 in my previous role at Thames Water.
“Thames21 is a brilliant organisation doing a superb job linking communities to their local rivers. I am delighted to join the Board to support the team and build stronger links across the wide range of stakeholders and supporters.”
Peter Gerstrom spent 14 years with one of the UK’s largest waste and resources companies, Cory Environmental, latterly as Deputy Chairman and CEO, and chaired the Environmental Services Association.
At Cory, he oversaw the commissioning of the UK’s largest energy from waste project at Riverside, Bexley, for which waste inputs are delivered from transfer stations up river on the Thames. He has a long-standing knowledge of Thames21’s work in his role as Chairman of the Cory Environmental Trust, which has granted funds to improve waterway environments benefiting nature and communities in SE London.
He said:
“Coming from an environmental background in waste resources, I saw how raw materials get used and, if we don’t recycle them properly, how our rivers have just become dustbins for the world’s rubbish.
“Through funding substantial projects on the River Cray, in Bexley and Thamesmead areas, I have a keen interest in the issues affecting the river and its tributaries and the efforts to improve them. Thames21 has a substantial history of not only improving our waterways but in engaging Londoners to take ownership in looking after their local stretch of waterway and I want to use my experience to help.”
Michael Hamilton, Chairman of Thames21 said the charity was delighted to draw on the huge experience of Martin Baggs and Peter Gerstrom, commenting:
“They not only know a great deal about the issues confronting London’s waterways but also have a huge understanding of our work from their previous associations with us. Their knowledge and expertise will be tremendously useful as we set about implementing the many exciting projects in our Five Year Plan to improve the health of the capital’s waterways.”