Giving you a greater say in your water company
We know customers care deeply about their water services. WaterShare+ gives you the opportunity to benefit when we outperform and tell us what you think our priorities should be going forward.
The unique scheme gives customers the chance to hold shares in Bournemouth Water’s parent company, Pennon Group plc, or to have money off your water bill instead.
After issuing shares in 2020 and 2022, 1 in 14 customers are now shareholders in the business. This is an impressive achievement – we have more customer shareholders than any other shareholder group.
The scheme also provides a way for customer voice to be represented. An independent WaterShare+ panel meets with us on behalf of customers, challenging our performance, relaying customer concerns and providing assurance on our performance reports. The panel is officially designated an Independent Challenge Group by the water regulator, Ofwat.
Everyone is welcome – join us for a public meeting of the panel
The Panel’s public meetings allow customers to engage and put questions directly to our senior leadership.
For in-person meetings, we bring along staff from specialist teams so that you can ask questions about your water. For those who prefer to join from home, many of the Panel’s public meetings are also online.
You Said, We Did!
Meet the WaterShare+ panel
Chaired by Lord Matthew Taylor, The Panel is formed of eight members who act as advocates for local customers and other stakeholders. The panel members represent all of our supply areas, including Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, and Bournemouth.
Lord Matthew Taylor
Chair of WaterShare+ Group Panel
Matthew has championed environmental improvement and a stronger customer voice in the water sector over many years. He professionally advises Government, local authorities and the private sector on planning for sustainable communities, community engagement and the wider environment.
Peaches Golding OBE
Deputy Chair of WaterShare+ Group Panel and Chair of Bristol Water Challenge Panel
Peaches is His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Bristol. She is an experienced Executive and Non-Executive Board member in the private, public and charitable sectors and an Honorary Captain, Royal Naval Reserves.
Anthony Denham
Deputy Chair of Bristol Water Challenge Panel
After 35 years in the nuclear power industry, Anthony became a water customer champion by joining the Consumer Council for Water. Since 2015, Anthony has helped to lead the challenge on behalf of water customers in the South West.
Nick Buckland OBE
WaterShare+ Chair for the Devon region
Nick transitioned from a successful IT career to a diverse portfolio across voluntary, public, and private sectors. He was honoured with an OBE in 2009 and an Honorary Doctorate in Technology in 2013.
Dinah Cox OBE DL
WaterShare+ Deputy Chair for the Devon region
Dinah chairs Devon Community Foundation, and is a Non-Executive Director for Devon and Cornwall Police and advises the National Trust. Awarded an OBE in 2008, she champions the voices of vulnerable communities.
Carole Theobald
WaterShare+ Chair for the Cornwall region
Carole is Chief Executive of iSight Cornwall, with over 25 years of leadership experience in the public and charity sectors. She specialises in strategy, communications, and advocacy, with a strong track record in inclusive engagement and reputation management.
Ben Harper
WaterShare+ Deputy Chair for the Cornwall region
Ben is Chief Executive of the Watergate Bay group of companies, in Cornwall. Ben is a champion for business within the South West and his experience in customer focused businesses provides the panel with external insight and perspective.
Richard Lacey
WaterShare+ Chair for the Bournemouth region
Richard, a Chartered Civil Engineer with extensive UK and international water industry experience, supports Bournemouth Water customers through the WaterShare+ Panel, following his leadership during South West Water’s acquisition of the company in 2016.
Louise Coulton
WaterShare+ Deputy Chair for the Bournemouth region
Louise is a collaborative senior leader with 25+ years in financial services, including 14 in compliance. She champions ethical governance, regulatory integrity and consumer advocacy across public and social sectors.
Alison Thompson
WaterShare+ Co-Chair for the SES region, Co-Chair of the SES Customer and Environment Scrutiny Panel
Alison is a Chair and management consultant, a Board Advisor, and teaches at Cambridge University. She brings sharp commercial insight, with a strong focus on future customers and environmental sustainability.
Steve Crabb
WaterShare+ Co-Chair for the SES region, Co-Chair of the SES Customer and Environment Scrutiny Panel
Steve is a consumer affairs specialist who focuses particularly on ensuring that vulnerable households receive fair and accessible services. He has held senior roles at British Gas and the Alzheimer’s Society and is also an award-winning writer.
1 in 14 customers are shareholders!
We give our customers a chance to become shareholders in our parent company Pennon - giving you a financial stake in your water company. If you don't take the shares, you get the money off your bill. In 2023, this was to the value of £13. We've now got more customer-shareholders than investor-shareholders! When we next run the scheme, there'll be more information about how you can get involved.
Please note, details on this web page in relation to the share alternative under the WaterShare+ scheme is for information only and not recommendation or advice. You might wish to consult an authorised financial advisor.