Managing director and co-founder of Waterwise, Jacob Tompkins, has stepped down with immediate effect following his appointment as chief operating officer of recently formed The Water Retail Company which creates a potential conflict of interest.
Tompkins takes up his new post in April. He will be succeeded by his Waterwise co-founder Nicci Russell who is currently a director at Ofwat and will take up her post at Waterwise in March. She was, until 2013, policy director at Waterwise. Waterwise chair Martin Bradbury will act as interim managing director until Russell is in post.
“Waterwise is currently working with a number of UK based water retailers with a view to securing future support from retail sector companies. It would be a potential conflict of interest for Jacob to remain in the Waterwise managing director role whilst we are seeking these new opportunities,” said Bradbury.
Tompkins has also stepped down as a Waterwise board member with immediate effect but he will re-join as a non-executive director in April 2017. He was managing director of Waterwise for more than more than 11 years.
Tompkins will remain at Waterwise as special projects director until 31 March. Bradbury said he will not be involved in dealing with the retail sector.
