Water company appoints new chief executive

Portsmouth Water said Bob Taylor has been appointed as chief executive with effect from January 1, 2019. 

Mr Taylor joined Portsmouth Water as engineering director this month, from South West Water, where he was operations director, Drinking Water Services.

He was the managing director of Bournemouth Water, prior to its acquisition by South West Water in 2015.

Neville Smith, Portsmouth Water's managing director, will retire on January 4, 2019 after more than 20 years of service, the past seven as managing director. Under his leadership Portsmouth Water said it has become one of the UK's leading regulated water companies.