Corporate governance and structure

Vanda Murray OBE, Independent Non-Executive Chair

Vanda has over 30 years' experience at senior level across a range of industry sectors in the UK and internationally.

She serves as Non-Executive Chair of Yorkshire Water, Non-Executive Chair for Marshalls plc, Senior Independent Director at Howden’s and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. She is also a Board Member for Maggie’s Manchester, the cancer care drop-in centre. Vanda has also recently been appointed as a Trustee Director of the English National Opera

From 2001 to 2004, Vanda was CEO of Blick plc, a FTSE-quoted support services group, where she doubled the market capitalisation prior to its sale to The Stanley Works Inc. From 2004 to 2006, she led a successful turnaround at Ultraframe plc.

She has served as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors at Manchester Metropolitan University and received a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), in recognition of her achievements in business and significant contribution to the North West, as well as her inspirational leadership and outstanding contribution to Manchester Met.

Vanda was a graduate trainee with ICI plc and spent her early career in European marketing roles with GTE Inc and BET plc. She has a BA (Hons) in European Business Administration and a French Business diploma.

Vanda won the Sunday Times Award for ‘Non-Executive Director of the Year’ in 2018 and was nominated for the shortlist in 2025. In 2002, she was appointed an OBE for Services to Industry and to Exports.

Committee Membership: Chair of the Nomination Committee, Member of Audit and Risk Committee, Remuneration Committee, Public Value Committee, Performance Review Committee and Safety, Health and Environment Committee.

Jonathan Lewis, Independent Non-Executive Chair Designate

Jonathan joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate in July 2026, and will step up to succeed Vanda Murray as Chair of the Board on 1 October 2026.

Jonathan brings extensive experience leading complex infrastructure and services businesses through periods of transformation and long-term investment. As the former Chief Executive of Capita plc and Amec Foster Wheeler plc, and senior executive at Halliburton, Jonathan has led major customer engagement, operational, financial and organisational change programmes, enabling businesses to improve delivery for their stakeholders.

Jonathan is currently the Chair of Associated British Ports, and a non-executive director of Adura Limited. Jonathan is also the Chair of a Business Advisory Council to the Welsh Government.

Committee Membership: Jonathan is a member of the Nomination Committee, People Committee and Sustainability Committee, and will Chair the Nomination Committee when he becomes Chair of the Board.

Nicola Shaw CBE, Chief Executive

Appointed: Nicola joined the Board as CEO in May 2022.

Skills and experience: Nicola brings with her extensive experience in regulated infrastructure businesses and has an excellent track record in driving efficient delivery whilst also improving customer service and colleague engagement. Most recently Nicola was the UK Executive Director for National Grid and was previously the Chief Executive of High Speed 1 and a Director of First Group. Nicola was the author of the Shaw Report published in 2016 which made several recommendations for the future of British Transport. Nicola received a CBE for services to transport in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2016.

Martin Gee, Chief Financial Officer

Appointed: Martin joined Yorkshire Water as the CFO in May 2025.

Skills and experience: Martin joined from Lanes Group, where he was the Chief Operating Officer responsible for the Sapphire Utility Solutions business. Martin joined Lanes Group in 2021, having previously spent 19 years with United Utilities PLC in various finance and commercial roles, serving as the Commercial Director from September 2015 to March 2021. Martin brings significant financial and operational experience of the water sector to the Board. Martin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants of England and Wales.

Andrew Merrick, Independent Non-Executive Director

Andrew joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in June 2019. He brings considerable financial experience and expertise to the Board, as well as strong connections with the Yorkshire region. Prior to joining the Board, Andrew was the CFO of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, having previously worked as Group Finance Director for Dart Group plc and as Director of Finance for Bradford & Bingley plc. Andrew has also sat on the Board of ‘Incommunities’, a Bradford-based social housing provider, where he chaired the Audit Committee.

Andrew is the Senior Independent Director and Vice Chair of Market Harborough Building Society.

Committee Membership: Chair of Audit and Risk Committee.

Furqan Alamgir, Independent Non-Executive Director

Furqan joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in October 2024.

Furqan is the founder and CEO of Connexin, a leading technology company, based in Hull, specialising in smart city solutions and IoT connectivity, which was recently named as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies at the Northern Tech Awards. Connexin was founded in 2006, whilst Furqan studied medicine at Imperial College.

Beyond his role at Connexin, Furqan actively contributes to the tech and business communities, sharing his expertise and insights as a thought leader and public speaker.

Committee Membership: Chair of the Sustainability Committee.

Basil Scarsella, Independent Non-Executive Director

Basil was appointed to the Board in August 2026. He has been the Chief Executive of UK Power Networks since 2010 and brings more than 30 years’ experience from the regulated energy sector. Basil has a strong track record of delivering large-scale transformation and operational excellence, with a particular focus on customer service. Basil also has Yorkshire connections, having previously lived in the region while serving as CEO of Northern Gas Networks.

Committee Membership: Basil is the Chair of the People Committee, and a member of the Sustainability Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Nomination Committee.

Andrew Dench, Non-Executive Director

Andrew joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in September 2017.

Skills and experience: Andrew is a Senior Vice President in GIC’s Infrastructure team, based in London. He is responsible for the ongoing management of GIC’s global infrastructure portfolio. Prior to joining GIC, Andrew was deputy CEO / CFO of Veolia Water, UK, Ireland & Northern Europe, CFO of Electricity North West, and Head of Corporate Finance & Change at London Stock Exchange Group. While at Veolia, he was a Non-Executive Director of Affinity Water (formerly Veolia Water). Andrew started his career in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley where he was focused on project finance, mergers & acquisitions, utilities, and the natural resources sector.

Andrew is a non-executive director at Heathrow Airports Holdings Limited and Calisen Limited.

Committee Membership: Member of Nomination Committee and Sustainability Committee.

Kunal Koya

Kunal joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in June 2026, representing EQT. Kunal joined EQT in 2024, having spent 11 years as a member of the Infrastructure Investment Committee at Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners. Prior to that, he spent five years at Evercore Partners in its Utilities and Infrastructure team. Kunal holds an MA in Economics and Management from Oxford University and holds non-executive director positions at Ocea Group and Calisen Limited.

Committee Membership: Kunal is a member of the Nomination Committee and Sustainability Committee.

Corporate governance and structure documents

Our Organisational Chart

Matters Reserved for the Yorkshire Water Board

Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference

Nomination Committee Terms of Reference

Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference

SHE Committee Terms of Reference

Public Value Committee Terms of Reference

Our Occupational Health and Safety policy

Environment policy

Quality policy