Calisen, the UK's largest smart meter provider, has appointed Gary Adams as its Operations Director for Water – the new appointment follows the recent hire of Dr Diane Bitzel in April as its first Chief Technology Officer.

He joins from Northumbrian Water, where he was responsible for a £160 million programme delivering end-to-end metering operations, smart technology deployment and community engagement, and managed a 220-strong field and office-based team. He has worked across regulated utilities and large-scale transformation programmes for over 20 years.

Gary Adams will take operational leadership of Calisen's Water business, drawing on his expertise in metering transformation and programme delivery to support the continued expansion of the division.

Commenting on the appointment, Catherine O'Kelly, CEO of Calisen, said:

"Gary’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the water sector. With demand predicted to outstrip supply in the 2050s in the UK - and shortfalls forewarned for the mid-2030s - it is vital we radically reduce the billions of litres of water lost to leaks every year. Smart metering is central to that challenge, enabling water companies to detect leakage, optimise networks, and engage customers in reducing consumption. Gary's experience leading one of the most complex metering transformation programmes in the UK water sector is exactly what we need as we step up to play our part in solving this critical national issue.”

“Water sector on cusp of its largest regulatory and structural reform in a generation”

Gary Adams, Operations Director for Water at Calisen, commented:

“The water sector is on the cusp of its largest regulatory and structural reform in a generation, and Calisen is laying the foundations to play a leading role in that shift. Having spent much of my career at the intersection of utilities, technology and large-scale operational change, I have seen first-hand how transformative the right infrastructure and data capabilities can be for customers and communities.

“Delivering against the sector's evolving expectations requires more than installing meters. It requires integrated operational models, strong programme governance and the ability to convert data into actionable outcomes. Calisen has the scale, financial strength and technical capability to support water companies through this transition, and I am excited to join a business with the ambition to make a real difference.”

The Government's proposed Clean Water Bill, announced last week, sets out a new legislative and regulatory framework that brings together the functions of Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Natural England into a single regulatory body – representing the most significant structural reform to the sector in decades.

As the industry prepares for the transition, Calisen's investment in experienced operational leadership underlines its ambition to play a leading role in delivering smarter, more resilient water infrastructure.