Story perspectives

Water CEO's £170K Bonus Sparks Outrage Amid Pollution Failures

12/28/2025

Summary

Story summary

Colin Skellett, former chief executive of Wessex Water, received a £170,000 bonus from YTL Utilities (UK) despite a government ban on performance-related pay due to pollution failures.
This bonus is part of a £693,000 total remuneration and has faced criticism from the Liberal Democrats, who claim it shows the ban's inadequacy.
Wessex Water incurred significant fines for sewage failures, including an £11 million penalty last month.
Ofwat stated the bonus was permissible as it pertained to Skellett's role within the wider YTL group.
The government plans to implement stricter regulations and establish a new water regulator in January 2024.

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Story summary

Colin Skellett, former chief executive of Wessex Water, received a £170,000 bonus from YTL Utilities (UK) despite a government ban on performance-related pay due to pollution failures.
This bonus is part of a £693,000 total remuneration and has faced criticism from the Liberal Democrats, who claim it shows the ban's inadequacy.
Wessex Water incurred significant fines for sewage failures, including an £11 million penalty last month.
Ofwat stated the bonus was permissible as it pertained to Skellett's role within the wider YTL group.
The government plans to implement stricter regulations and establish a new water regulator in January 2024.