Two new directors have been selected to join the business's senior leadership team.

Shaun Dowen (left) has been appointed as Operations Director, and Alex Wilkes (right) joins as Customer Services Director.

Both will start their new roles with the business later in the year. 

Shaun Dowen

With more than 16 years of leadership experience, Shaun Dowen joins from United Utilities, where he held the position of County Business Lead - Water Services, leading a 200-strong integrated water treatment and networks team responsible for delivery and performance across the whole clean water system.

Shaun specialises in operational performance, transformation, water quality and environmental regulatory compliance. He has served as the Acting Water Treatment Director at United Utilities, held a range of leadership roles at Severn Trent Water, and is a Non-Executive Director for the Water Regulations Approval Scheme.

Alex Wilkes

Joining him on the leadership team as the new Customer Services Director is Alex Wilkes, who has 18 years of leadership experience in the utilities sector.

Alex joins after leaving his position as Customer and Commercial Director at YES Energy Solutions, a Community Interest Company focused on the alleviation of fuel poverty. Here, he was responsible for leading commercial strategy and business planning, implementing business transformation and delivering exceptional outcomes for customers in vulnerable situations. 

Alex has held a range of customer-focused leadership roles within the energy sector, including E.ON UK, Western Power Distribution and, most recently, National Grid, where, as External Affairs Director, he led customer service strategy and business planning.

Elena Karpathakis, Managing Director at South Staffordshire Water, commented: "The successful delivery of South Staffordshire Water’s 2025-2030 business plan is crucial for our customers and the environment. The next five years will bring more investment than ever for our customers.

"I am really looking forward to Shaun and Alex joining the team to help us progress our plans to secure future water supplies in two regions characterised by population and housing growth, alongside protecting the region’s environment, providing great service and keeping our customer bills amongst the lowest in the sector."

Speaking after his appointment, Shaun said: "I’m excited to be joining South Staffordshire Water at a time of important investment and delivery. I am looking forward to working with the experienced operational teams to achieve our ambitions and ensure a reliable and sustainable high-quality water supply for our customers now and in the future."

Alex added: "The job of providing water for the lives of 1.6 million customers is a privilege and one I know South Staffordshire Water takes really seriously. At such a significant time for the water industry, I can’t wait to get started to ensure we continue to put exceptional customer service at the heart of everything we do.

"Working with the rest of the leadership team, I am excited about the opportunity to deliver a programme of investment that will deliver our customers’ priorities now and for future generations."