A former City banker, infrastructure and utility specialist with expertise in the water, power, infrastructure and the rail sectors is to take the helm at Portsmouth Water.

Christopher Deacon, will become the new Chairman of Portsmouth Water from 1 June 2020, replacing the current Chairman Mike Kirk who will stepping down from the Board after 8 years. Christopher is married and the father of four grown up children.

An infrastructure and project financier, Christopher brings with him a wealth of experience from the infrastructure, electricity, water and rail sectors in the UK and globally.

Most recently, he has also served on the Board at Thames Water as a Non-Executive Director, where he contributed his expertise to the Thames Tideway Tunnel project and aspects of the company’s capital investment programme. These roles will stand him in good stead as Portsmouth Water embarks on its multi-million project to construct a new reservoir at Havant Thicket.

Christopher said: “I am delighted to be joining the Board at such an exciting time and to head up a business that has already established an `industry leading’ position in many respects.”

“That being said there are some challenges to be faced– from the current priority of dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and delivering our ambitious performance commitments over the next five years, to translating our plans for the first reservoir in the South East in nearly 50 years to reality. This will involve settling relationships with our stakeholders, and then the planning process before construction can be commenced.”

“However those challenges are also exciting opportunities. I am very much looking forward to helping solve the issues which will no doubt arise and bringing my business and career experience as Chairman of the Board to do that.”

Bob Taylor, CEO at Portsmouth Water, said: “I am delighted to welcome Christopher to the Board. He has an excellent track record of providing excellent Board-level leadership for major infrastructure, both in the UK and globally.”

“I’d also like to thank Mike for his excellent tenure as Chair of Portsmouth Water. He has led our company through both calm and choppy waters but has always done so with great integrity, something that all of us at Portsmouth Water continue to emulate.”