Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Correspondence from the CEO of South East Water regarding Chris Train's resignation, dated 30 April 2026
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
South East Water's CEO David Hinton notifies the EFRA Committee that the Board has accepted the immediate resignation of Independent Non-Executive Chair Chris Train on 30 April 2026. The Board determined new independent leadership was needed during a critical transformation period. Lisa Clement, an Independent Non-Executive Director, will serve as Interim Chair while a permanent replacement is sought.
Key findings
- Chris Train's resignation as Independent Non-Executive Chair was accepted effective immediately following Board discussions on the Company's recovery and transformation plan
- The Board and Train mutually agreed that new independent leadership was required to oversee transformative change
- Lisa Clement, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, appointed as Interim Independent Non-Executive Chair pending completion of external independent search for permanent replacement
- South East Water plans to double investment into the water supply network over the next five years across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire
- The Board reiterates unreserved apology to customers impacted by recent operational failures and commits to engineering and operational changes to strengthen network resilience
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Chris Train, David Hinton, Lisa Clement, South East Water, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Alistair Carmichael
Notable line
“… the Board and Chris considered the leadership of South East Water and mutually agreed that new independent Board leadership is required to oversee a critical …”
Key Quotes
“… the Board of South East Water met this evening, when it was agreed to accept the resignation of the Independent Non-Executive Chair, Chris Train, effective immediately.”
“The Board and executive team reiterate their unreserved apology to those customers impacted by recent operational failures, and the resulting loss of public trust in the Company and its services.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗