Our Board of directors
Steve Johnson
Non-Executive Chairman
Steve was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman in July 2018 and is an Asset Manager Director at Infracapital, a leading European infrastructure investor. Steve has 35 years of experience in the energy and utility sectors and was CEO of Electricity North West for eight years. Prior to this he was Managing Director of Morrison Utility Services, which followed 17 years at United Utilities. Steve has also held positions as Non–Executive Director of South West Water and Chairman of Energy Networks Association from 2011 to 2014. Steve was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to energy networks.
Peter Antolik
Non-executive Director and Arjun Infrastructure Partners Representative
Peter was appointed to the Board in July 2018. Peter is a Partner of Arjun Infrastructure Partners (AIP) and his background covers regulated companies, transport regulation, and the management of infrastructure funds and investments. Peter joined AIP from the Office of Rail and Road and was previously the Strategy and Regulation Director of Thames Water. Peter has previously worked with Macquarie Bank, creating and managing the European infrastructure funds. He was also an Executive Director in JP Morgan’s Infrastructure Investment Fund and started his career with Accenture.
Keith Harris
Non-executive Director and Arjun Infrastructure Partners Representative
Appointed as an Independent Non-executive Director and Arjun Infrastructure Partners Representative on 20 October 2020, Keith is the owner of the advisory business Lorraine House and spent 20 years at Wessex Water, including a period of time at ENRON/AZURIX, where he was global Head of Regulation. At Wessex Water he held various senior executive and Board positions, including CFO and deputy CEO, and brings strong financial and regulatory experience to the Board.
Charley Maher
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO of South Staffordshire Plc in September 2023 having previously held senior leadership roles in financial services and utilities. Prior to joining, Charley worked for YTL UK, as Chief Commercial Officer of Wessex Water Group, and Managing Director at Pelican Business Services and water2business. Earlier in her career she was with NatWest and the RBS Group.
Rob O’Malley
Group Chief Financial Officer
Appointed CFO of South Staffordshire Plc in March 2020 having previously held senior finance roles in energy networks and utilities. He is responsible for the Group’s central support services operation, which includes Group Finance and IT services. Prior to joining, Rob was formerly Group Treasurer at Cadent Gas and Head of Corporate Finance at Electricity North West. Earlier in his career he was with United Utilities and NatWest.
Barry Hayward
Chief Commercial Officer
Appointed CCO of South Staffordshire Plc in January 2024 having previously held senior leadership roles in the utilities sector. Prior to joining, Barry worked for Wessex Water Enterprises, as Managing Director of GENeco, Nest Homes, Wessex Searches and Swiss Combi Technology. Prior to this, he held a range of senior roles including operational leadership positions at Wessex Water and Managing Director roles at water 2 business, Flipper and Albion Water.