Pennon Group has appointed Ian Christie as its first Chief Asset Officer, a newly created role intended to put the condition and performance of the company’s infrastructure at the centre of its strategic planning. Christie took up the position in May 2026.
The role was created to bring together responsibility for how Pennon understands, maintains, plans and invests in its assets, which range from treatment works and pumping stations to the network of pipes that carry drinking water and wastewater across its operating areas. The company said the aim is a more coordinated approach to decisions on service delivery, environmental protection and long-term investment.
Christie joins from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, where he was Managing Director for Water Services, Capital Delivery and Asset Planning. Originally from South Shields, he studied civil engineering before working across consulting, construction and client-side operational roles, including infrastructure projects internationally and civil engineering work at several UK water companies.
Ian Christie has been appointed Chief Asset Officer at Pennon Group.
A role focused on asset performance
The appointment comes as Pennon delivers a £3.2 billion investment programme covering the period from 2025 to 2030, aimed at improving water and wastewater services and strengthening environmental performance and resilience. Pennon’s operations span a wide geography, from Devon and Cornwall through to Bristol, Bournemouth and Sutton and East Surrey.
“Everything we do is through an asset operated by people,” Christie said, describing the role as bringing together how the company understands, maintains, plans for and invests in its infrastructure. He said a more joined-up approach would support better decisions and outcomes for customers and the environment.
Investing in skills alongside infrastructure
Christie said the company was building its asset management capability by developing existing staff and recruiting for new roles. He pointed to the long time horizons involved, noting that decisions taken now on investment, maintenance and renewal would shape services for years to come.
The appointment reflects a wider shift across the water sector, where utilities are placing greater emphasis on data-driven asset management to improve infrastructure resilience as they face rising regulatory scrutiny, climate pressures and increased capital investment under the current 2025–2030 price review period. Approaches to monitoring and maintenance vary, but the broad direction reflects industry interest in long-term water asset management strategies that link asset condition data to investment planning.
Source: Pennon Group.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Pennon’s new Chief Asset Officer?
Ian Christie, who joined Pennon Group in May 2026 from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, where he was Managing Director for Water Services, Capital Delivery and Asset Planning.
What does a Chief Asset Officer do?
The role oversees the condition, performance, maintenance and long-term investment planning of a company’s infrastructure, coordinating decisions about how assets are understood, maintained and renewed.
How much is Pennon investing between 2025 and 2030?
Pennon is delivering a £3.2 billion investment programme across water and wastewater services, with the aim of improving environmental performance and resilience.
Which areas does Pennon serve?
Pennon’s operations cover Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Bournemouth, and Sutton and East Surrey.
