Leadership team

Chief Executive Officer of The Water Retail Company and member of the Leadership Team

Ken has spent all his career managing operations in large multinational corporations. A french speaker, he spent a number of years heading up the European Military & Commercial Aircraft Programmes for Messier-Dowty, Paris. He was also MD Europe for an American Aerospace Corporation. His specialties include Operational excellence, Waste Elimination, Process Improvement, Financial and Contract Management.

Check out Ken Jervis on LinkedIn here: Ken Jervis | LinkedIn

Chief Technical Officer of The Water Retail Company and member of the Leadership Team

After qualifying as a civil engineer at University College London, Jacob went on to study hydrogeology at Imperial College London. He was an environmental adviser to the National Farmers’ Union and a water resources and water efficiency specialist at Water UK, before founding Waterwise in 2005, which remains the only not-for-profit organisation for water efficiency in the UK.

He developed the UK’s first formal Ofqual-approved water efficiency qualifications and is a visiting professor at Exeter University, currently developing an MSc course on water policy, science and management. In addition, Jacob is a WWF Associate specialising in developing water and wastewater systems and polices that enhance the environment. Jacob has sat on a number of European Commission working groups on issues ranging from drought planning to groundwater protection, and spent five years as the UK representative on the Eureau (pan-European water industry body) Drinking Water Commission, as well as chairing OFWAT’s Resilience Committee.

Check out Jacob Tompkins on LinkedIn here: Jacob Tompkins | LinkedIn

Non-Executive Director of The Water Retail Company and member of the Leadership Team

John Francis Russell, 7th Earl Russell, is a British hereditary peer, freelance photographer, and Liberal Democrat politician. Educated at the William Ellis School in Highgate, he has built a career in photography, focusing on political, event, charity, and landscape photography. His work includes projects for Total Politics magazine, the Liberal Democrats, the London Wildlife Trust, and various charitable organizations. Russell’s political journey includes roles as chairman of the Lewisham Liberal Democrats and as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Forest Hill on Lewisham Borough Council, where he chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from 2006 to 2010. In 2012, he ran as the party’s candidate for the Greenwich and Lewisham seat on the London Assembly. In June 2023, he was elected to the House of Lords, filling a vacancy among the excepted hereditary peers.

Chris Oglethorpe is a seasoned senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in highly regulated sectors, including legal, financial services and telecoms. He has held board-level roles both in the UK and internationally—serving as HR Director at firms like Gowling WLG and RBS, and as Chief Operating Officer at Lazard and Aviva Investors.

Throughout his career, Chris has led large-scale transformation programmes that have helped shape culture, improve governance and strengthen long-term performance. He’s passionate about creating workplaces where people thrive, and his work has earned industry recognition, including Mansfield Certification and Great Place to Work status.

Chris brings strong credentials in governance, risk and stakeholder management, and is known for building collaborative, high-performing teams. He supports leadership teams with clear, independent insight—helping organisations make confident decisions and stay focused on sustainable growth.

At The Water Retail Company, Chris adds a fresh perspective that balances people strategy and operational expertise. His background in regulated markets and commitment to customer service aligns well with the company’s focus on quality, accountability, and future-ready growth.

Associate Director – Account Management for The Water Retail Company and member of the Leadership Team.

Mohamed is an accomplished Associate Director with extensive experience in the water industry. He leads a team of account managers and analysts within the operations team, focusing on delivering exceptional client service and strategic water management solutions. Specialising in account, contract, and project management, Mohamed works closely with key customers to manage billing and develop customised water optimisation strategies. He holds an AgilePM qualification in project management, with expertise in customer relationship management, operational efficiency, and strategic planning.

Check out Mohamed Abadayah on LinkedIn here: Mohamed Abadayah | LinkedIn

To learn more about the team, our mission, vision and values follow this link: Mission, Vision and Values