Exeter based Pennon Group is strengthening the team responsible for managing its water infrastructure as the group delivers a record £3.2 billion investment programme in the run up to 2030.
The programme covers improvements to water and wastewater services across a large part of southern England, including Devon and Cornwall, with Pennon placing greater emphasis on the condition and long term performance of the infrastructure behind those services.
At the centre of that work is newly appointed Chief Asset Officer Ian Christie, who joined Pennon in May 2026. His role has been created to bring asset health and performance closer to the decisions the group makes about investment, maintenance and future resilience.
Pennon Group investment puts focus on infrastructure skills
Ian joins Pennon from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, where he was Managing Director for Water Services, Capital Delivery and Asset Planning. Originally trained as a civil engineer, his career has included consulting, construction and operational leadership, as well as infrastructure projects in the UK and overseas.
Pennon Group says it is now building its asset management team and strengthening its capability as it works through the five year investment programme.
Ian said: “We’re already building the team and strengthening our capability. Pennon has a huge amount of talent across the organisation and we are reshaping that and supplementing it by bringing in some new key roles.”
The work covers infrastructure ranging from treatment works and pumping stations to the networks of pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater.
Ian continued that the aim of bringing this work together was to improve how Pennon understands its assets, maintains them and plans future investment.
“My role is about bringing together everything we do with those assets, how we understand them, how we maintain them, how we plan for the future and how we invest in them,” he said.
What the investment means for the South West
For Devon’s business community, the scale of Pennon’s investment is significant. The group, headquartered in Exeter, has operations including South West Water, with infrastructure across Devon and Cornwall forming part of a much wider network extending through Bristol, Bournemouth, Sutton and East Surrey.
Large infrastructure programmes also depend on people with engineering, construction, operational and technical expertise. Pennon says its approach will involve developing existing talent alongside recruitment into key roles as it strengthens its asset management capability.
The investment comes as the water industry faces considerable scrutiny over environmental performance, infrastructure resilience and the service provided to customers. Pennon says decisions being taken now about maintenance, renewal and investment will influence the performance of its infrastructure for decades.
Ian Christie said the scale of the programme was one of the attractions of joining the Exeter based group. “We’re seeing a step change in investment across the sector, alongside rising expectations from customers, regulators and stakeholders,” he said.
He added that this created a responsibility to make sure customer money was directed towards the right solutions and locations, delivering benefits for customers and the environment.
For the South West, the delivery of such a substantial programme by one of the region’s major businesses puts infrastructure expertise and the people required to deliver it firmly in focus.
More information about the £3.2bn programme and Ian Christie’s appointment is available from Pennon Group.
Devon Business has previously looked at how South West businesses are supporting regional growth, including the expansion of Exeter based businesses and the role of local skills and employment. See: Exeter based MD Group marks 25 years with £42 million turnover and 300 employees.
Also, organisations operating across Devon and the wider South West can submit a free company listing to Devon Business Directory, with sponsored Business Leader listings and featured articles available for those looking to raise their profile across the region.
Source: Pennon Group
Devon Business
We support local entrepreneurship and help companies get noticed in the Southwest of England. Our Devon Business Directory lists local service providers and highlights businesspeople across the region. We blog about businesses that are making a difference, recognising business leaders and sharing success stories. We also look at marketplace trends and ways to increase productivity.
