South East Water CEO resigns amid outages and MPs grilling
South East Water CEO resigns amid outages and MPs grilling
David Hinton resigns as MPs publish a damning report after thousands face water outages in Kent and Sussex, signaling a deepening leadership crisis.
South East Water has announced the resignation of chief executive David Hinton as a leadership crisis deepens after a series of supply failures hit parts of Kent and Sussex. The decision follows the resignation of the company's former chairman last week after a grilling in Parliament, underscoring mounting scrutiny of the utility's management.
Thousands of homes were left without water during some of the outages, drawing sharp criticism over the speed of response and the clarity of communications with customers. Residents reported disrupted daily life, and local officials urged the company to prioritise repairs and resilience to prevent a repeat of the disruptions.
With Hinton stepping down, the board said it would appoint an interim or new chief executive to lead during a period of turbulence and investigation. Regulators and lawmakers are expected to continue their oversight as the company works to restore reliable service and restore public trust.
Industry observers say the leadership change could mark a turning point for South East Water, potentially prompting reforms in how the business manages crisis communications, maintenance, and long-term investment in infrastructure. The coming weeks will reveal how quickly a new leadership approach can stabilise supply and address customers’ ongoing concerns.
Customers and community leaders will be watching closely to see whether the change at the top translates into tangible improvements in water reliability and transparency about progress and challenges.
