Strengthening governance to support long‑term strategy and sector priorities.

Following a review of governance, South Staffordshire Plc, the parent company of a diverse group of regulated and non‑regulated infrastructure and essential services businesses, has appointed Steve Johnson, MBE, as Independent Non-executive Director and Chair of the South Staffordshire Water Board, and Sara Vaughan as Independent Non-executive Director and Deputy Chair of the South Staffordshire Plc Group Board, as well as Deputy Chair of the South Staffordshire Water Board, effective immediately.

South Staffordshire Water, which operates Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water, forms a core part of the South Staffordshire Plc Group, which also includes a broader portfolio of infrastructure and essential services businesses.

These appointments both strengthen and simplify the Group’s established leadership structure, and reflect an ongoing commitment to strong, experienced governance across all Boards. They come at a time of significant transformation across the water sector, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and rising expectations from customers, communities and stakeholders. The changes also importantly maintain appropriate independence between the Group and its operating companies.

Steve has served as Chair of the South Staffordshire Plc Group Board since July 2018 and brings more than 35 years’ experience across the energy and utilities sectors. He was previously CEO of Electricity North West, has held senior leadership roles at Morrison Utility Services and United Utilities, and has served as Non‑executive Director of South West Water and Chair of the Energy Networks Association. Awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to energy networks, Steve will now also serve as Chair of the South Staffordshire Water Board.

In this role, Steve will support South Staffordshire Water in navigating regulatory expectations, maintaining operational resilience, and continuing to deliver for customers across Cambridge Water and South Staffs Water, whilst ensuring strong alignment with the Group’s long‑term strategy.

Sara has been appointed Deputy Chair of both the South Staffordshire Plc Group Board and the South Staffordshire Water Board, reflecting her deep understanding and strong background in regulation, governance and the energy sector, as well as the experience she has more recently gained in the water sector.

From a background as a competition and regulatory lawyer and many years across various roles at E.ON, ultimately as a UK Board Executive Director, Sara currently holds a number of senior governance roles including Chair of Elexon and Non‑executive Director at the North Sea Transition Authority, and brings deep expertise in regulatory, commercial and policy environments, alongside a strong focus on customers and people.

In her dual Deputy Chair roles, Sara will play a key part in strengthening links between Group and Water governance, supporting effective decision‑making, and ensuring the views of customers, regulators and stakeholders remain central.

 

Charley Maher, Group CEO at South Staffordshire Plc, said:

“I’ve worked closely with both Steve and Sara and greatly value the insight, challenge and perspective they bring. Their experience and judgement will continue to strengthen our boards as we navigate a period of change and heightened expectations across the sectors we operate in.

“Strong governance underpins everything we do, and these appointments reflect our focus on long‑term resilience and doing the right thing for customers, stakeholders and our people.”