Chief Executive's Pay Rises 58% Despite Surge in Pollution Incidents at South West Water

Under-fire water group Pennon has revealed that its chief executive's pay package increased by 58% after she received a £298,000 shares bonus, even as pollution incidents nearly doubled at South West Water last year.

Pennon's annual report disclosed that chief executive Susan Davy's total pay for 2023-24 rose to £860,000, up from £543,000 the previous year. While Davy chose to forego an annual bonus worth £237,000 in cash and shares, she still received a long-term performance award. This award, which must be held for two years, is to be reinvested in Pennon stock.

The pay details come as Pennon reported a significant increase in pollution incidents at South West Water, with cases soaring by 80% to 194 in 2023.

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South West Water is also at the center of an ongoing water contamination crisis in Devon. Nearly a month after the issue was first detected, around 17,000 households in the Brixham area have been advised to boil their drinking water following a parasite outbreak in their supply.

The group is compensating affected customers, with payouts totaling around £3.5 million.

The substantial rise in Davy's pay package amid escalating pollution incidents and the water contamination crisis has sparked controversy and raised questions about the group's management and priorities.