Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has announced that Peter Perry will retire as Chief Executive in spring 2026.
This brings to a close a career that began over 45 years ago in the water sector. Peter joined Welsh Water as an apprentice in the early 1980s, progressing through a range of operational and leadership roles before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2013, Managing Director in 2017 and ultimately Chief Executive in 2020.
Since then, Peter has led the company through some of the most challenging and transformative times in its history, including the COVID-19 pandemic, growing environmental pressures and sector-wide financial challenges.
He has also played a key leadership role for the water industry at a UK level, leading on major contingency planning activities such as Brexit and the associated supply chain risk.
Under his leadership, Welsh Water has invested record levels in infrastructure and service improvements and now provides more support than ever to vulnerable customers. The company has continued to prioritise the needs of customers, the environment and future generations by securing its most ambitious ever investment programme over the next five years.
Commenting on his decision, Peter said:
“Welsh Water has been a part of my life since I left school. I’m incredibly proud to have spent my career in an organisation that plays such a key role in protecting public health and makes a genuine difference every single day.
“To have had the opportunity to lead the company as Chief Executive has been a huge honour as well as seeing the tireless work and sacrifices made by colleagues when trying to maintain our services, especially during some exceptional weather events. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and the strong foundations we’ve laid for the next five years and beyond. I have every confidence that Welsh Water will continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead and I will continue to drive such improvement until my retirement.”
Chair of the Board, Jane Hanson CBE, said:
“Peter’s story is truly inspirational – from apprentice to Chief Executive, his journey embodies everything that Welsh Water stands for in terms of values. His leadership has been defined by a deep understanding of the business, a genuine care for our people and customers, and a commitment to doing the right thing now and for the long term. On behalf of the Board and everyone at Welsh Water, I want to sincerely thank Peter for his exceptional service and wish him every happiness in his retirement.”
The search for a successor will begin immediately. An executive search and recruitment firm has been appointed and the role will also be advertised in relevant publications. Both internal and external candidates will be considered. The process is expected to take a number of months and Peter will remain in post throughout the appointment process.
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