Revealed: The water firm bosses who claim millions in pay and benefits - despite bills increasing
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Water company fat cats who pollute Britain’s seas, rivers and streams claim millions in pay and perks while blowing similar amounts on fines for their poor performance. Among the most lucrative jobs in the sector belongs to brazen Chris Weston, who became CEO of struggling Thames Water in January, and then accepted a £195,000 bonus for his first three months at the company in April.
![[UK’s worst-performing water company Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, is run by former electricity board boss Peter Perry (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/21/93333363-14211507-image-a-6_1734643288900.jpg)
The payout came despite the firm, which is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, being on the verge of bankruptcy. Mr Weston, who lives in a sprawling £4 million Grade-II listed home in Kent with a heated swimming pool and tennis courts, has a salary package of up to £2.3 million.
![[Louise Beardmore CEO of United Utilities, pocketed a bonus of £420,000 this year, bringing her total pay up to £1.4 million]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/21/93333365-14211507-image-a-7_1734643427491.jpg)
Earlier this year, he enjoyed a break at a stunning angling retreat on the Rio Gallegos, Argentina, where stays start at £9,000. Meanwhile, his company has pumped 72 billion litres of sewage into the Thames since 2020. Regulator Ofwat ordered it to pay record fines of £104 million in August for failing to manage sewage spills at more than 150 wastewater treatment works.
![[Lawrence Gosden boss of Southern Water pocketed a £764,000 pay package last financial year]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/21/93333359-14211507-image-a-8_1734643490069.jpg)
In October, Mr Weston secured a financing lifeline of up to £3 billion to keep his company afloat while it tries to restructure over the next year. Thames Water boss Chris Weston (pictured) who became CEO of struggling Thames Water in January. UK’s worst-performing water company Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, is run by former electricity board boss Peter Perry (pictured).
![[Liv Garfield (pictured), CEO of Severn Trent Water who was paid £3.2 million this year, including a £584,000 bonus]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/21/93333367-14211507-image-a-5_1734643206252.jpg)
