Wessex Water chief pockets above-inflation pay rise despite bonus ban over sewage spills
Summary
Wessex Water gave its chief executive a 14% pay raise, raising her salary from £590,000 to £670,000, even though the company was banned from paying bonuses due to pollution problems. Another water company, Anglian Water, made a large payment to its chief executive to keep him in the job despite the bonus ban.Key Facts
- Ruth Jefferson, Wessex Water's chief executive, received a 14% base salary increase in October 2025.
- The salary increase was much higher than the 3.5% raise given to other workers.
- Wessex Water faces a government ban on bonuses because of serious sewage pollution and missed financial targets.
- Wessex Water serves 2.9 million customers in south-west England.
- Anglian Water gave its chief executive a £500,000 payment to retain him until January 2027, despite the bonus ban.
- Anglian Water says this payment was from shareholders, not customers, and is not a bonus.
- Both companies say they are restricted from paying bonuses due to environmental and operational performance rules.
- Public and union groups are critical of large executive pay amid pollution issues, urging government action.
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