Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water names former Sydney Water chief Roch Cheroux as new CEO
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water names former Sydney Water chief Roch Cheroux as new CEO
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Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has announced the appointment of Roch Cheroux as its next Chief Executive, as the not-for-profit prepares for a period of significant change in the water sector.
Cheroux, who will officially join the company on 6 October before taking up the Chief Executive role in the New Year, succeeds Peter Perry. Perry has led the organisation since 2020 and plans to retire in spring 2026 after more than four decades in the industry.
The incoming CEO brings extensive international experience, having held senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Most recently, Cheroux served as Chief Executive of Sydney Water, Australia’s largest water utility, from 2019 until March 2025. During his tenure, Sydney Water oversaw a substantial expansion of investment and sharp improvements in customer service.
In a statement, Cheroux said: “It is a real privilege to be joining Dwr Cymru, a company with a clear public purpose and a unique not-for-profit model that puts customers and communities first. Its unique model was a significant factor in my decision to move to Welsh Water.
“It is a pivotal time for the company and the sector. The far-reaching reforms proposed by the Independent Water Commission together with Dwr Cymru’s ambitious investment programme for the next five years means it’s an exciting time to join the company. I’m looking forward to working with the team, Governments, regulators and our customers, to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers, communities and the environment.”
“Cheroux’s career spans more than 30 years in the global water industry. Before leading Sydney Water, he was Chief Executive of South Australia Water Corporation. Earlier in his career, he held executive positions with SUEZ in Australia and Asia, United Utilities Australia, Tallinn Water in Estonia, and the Bouygues Group in France.
His appointment comes as Welsh Water prepares to implement its biggest investment programme to date, while also navigating increasing scrutiny from regulators, policymakers and the public over environmental standards, service quality and affordability.
Jane Hanson CBE, Chair of Glas Cymru, the parent company of Welsh Water, said the board had carried out an extensive international recruitment process before confirming Cheroux as Perry’s successor.
Hanson said: “Roch brings a strong international track record of leading high-performing, customer-focused water companies. His experience will be invaluable as we navigate significant change both in terms of the reform of the water sector, but also by working closely with the Board to ensure a laser-like focus on performance improvement and that every penny of our customers’ bills is used for greatest impact.
“We are delighted to welcome Roch to Dwr Cymru at such a critical time for the company. Our rigorous recruitment exercise involved an extensive selection process and considered high-quality candidates from Wales, the rest of the UK and from around the globe, ensuring that we appointed the best possible candidate to deliver our most ambitious business plan ever.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Peter Perry, whose leadership has been instrumental over the past five years. Under his guidance, Dwr Cymru has remained resilient through the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the most challenging operational incidents in decades and also increasing environmental pressures, all while delivering for customers and staying true to its not-for-profit values. On behalf of the Board and the wider business, I want to thank Peter for his exceptional contribution and wish him every success for the future.”
Perry, who joined Welsh Water in 2000, became Chief Executive in April 2020. His tenure has included overseeing the company’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, managing major operational disruptions, and advancing environmental programmes amid growing concerns about the impact of water companies on rivers and coastal waters.
Welsh Water serves more than three million people across Wales, Herefordshire and parts of Deeside and has a £2 billion capital investment plan outlined for the coming five years.
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