LONDON, UK – The chief executive of the Northumbrian Water Group, Heidi Mottram, has been awarded a CBE for services to the water industry and business community in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
The definition of CBE is Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – an honour awarded to individuals for a leading role at a regional level.
Mottram joined Northumbrian Water Group in 2009 and has driven the business to lead the way in customer service, environmental practice, innovation and social responsibility.
Following on from a successful career in the rail industry, where her work was recognised with an OBE in 2009, she has transferred her experience to the water industry and has driven a values-based, high performance culture, enabling the business to become industry leading in many areas.
Last year the chief executive was ranked 22 on WWi magazine’s Top 25 Global Water Leaders – the only UK utility to make the list.
Mottram has championed diversity in the industry, reforming her own executive leadership Team to be 50-50 gender balanced and providing support, coaching and guidance to many women both in the industry and further afield. As a result, in 2016 she was recognised nationally as one of the Top 50 women in engineering.
Under her leadership, the utility was also awarded the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development in 2014 and was named as one of the world's most ethical companies for the last seven years by Ethisphere - the only water company on the world to be recognised on this global list alongside only five other UK companies.
Among the utility’s many achievements, it was recently one of the first to adopt home artificial intelligence systemsto help consumers pay bills and submit meter readings.
Heidi Mottram said: "I feel incredibly proud to receive this honour. I am very lucky to have the privilege to lead such a fantastic organisation as Northumbrian Water Group and I hope this award also reflects the amazing work that our teams do to keep the water flowing for the customers and regions that we are proud to serve.'
Carolyn Fairbairn, director general at the CBI, said: "Heidi has been at the forefront of the business community for some years now, displaying inspirational and innovative leadership in her time with Northumbrian Water Group. She has been a true champion for businesses and their role in wider society, and has been a strong advocate for firms in all corners of the country in her work with the CBI."
Earlier this year, Alan Thomson was awarded an MBE for his career dedicated to water utilities in both the UK and Middle East.
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