South West Water (SWW) and its parent company, Pennon Group, have appointed Keith Haslett as their next chief executive officer, following the retirement of Susan Davy, who announced her decision to step down in July.
Haslett, currently CEO of Affinity Water, will join Pennon once he completes his notice period, expected in 2026. He has led Affinity Water since 2023 and brings more than 25 years of experience in the UK water industry, including senior executive roles at Northumbrian Water Group and United Utilities.
In a statement, Haslett said it was a “critical time” to join the group, highlighting plans to “further improve customer service levels and enhance our environment through an ambitious investment programme to 2030 and beyond.”
David Sproul, Chair of Pennon Group, said: “Keith is a seasoned leader in the UK water sector, bringing over 25 years of experience across regulated utilities, with a strong track record of driving operational excellence, delivering complex capital programmes, and increasing shareholder value.”
Haslett’s appointment follows a challenging period for South West Water. Earlier this year, the company agreed to a £24 million enforcement package after an Ofwat investigation found failures in the management of its wastewater treatment works and sewer networks. The regulator said the company lacked adequate management systems to ensure it met its legal obligations.
In September, South West Water received a poor performance rating from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) due to high levels of customer complaints. The company has since pledged to improve service standards and staff training while managing the impact of a 28% average bill increase announced for this year.
Haslett’s leadership is expected to play a key role in rebuilding customer trust and strengthening environmental performance across the South West.
