Huge challenge ahead, says new water boss
John Halsall has taken over the heavily criticised water company after the previous chief resigned.
The new boss of South East Water (SEW) says he faces a "huge challenge" in improving both its performance and reputation.
John Halsall has taken over the running of the heavily criticised water company from previous chief executive David Hinton, who resigned from the role in May.
Halsall stepped down as chief operating officer for South West Water in 2024. The company was fined almost £2m following an outbreak the same year of cryptosporidium - a parasite which causes nausea and vomiting - which affected thousands in Brixham, Devon.
He said of his mission to overhaul SEW: "Our job is to deliver water to our customers 24/7, 365 and we're not doing that, for which I'm sorry."
Halsall's arrival comes as SEW remains under fire for repeated supply failures in Kent and Sussex, all the while grappling with major infrastructure issues.
Regulator Ofwat told the company it must spend £30.5m on improvements after supply interruptions hit thousands of its customers across Kent and Sussex.
Ofwat also recently proposed fining the firm £22m over issues affecting 286,000 people in Kent and Sussex between 2020 and 2023.
In addition, its annual report shows it has £1.3bn worth of debt.
However, while acknowledging SEW's current low standing, Halsall describes it as "a good business at its heart".
"We have people who work incredibly hard, but that isn't always translated into results for our customers," he said.
"We need to do a reset, harness that energy and turn things around.
