Utility Week

Operations & Assets UTILITY WEEK | 11TH - 17TH JANUARY 2019 | 25 during summer's heatwave. Again, no cus- tomers saw interruptions due to unprec- edented heat, nor did Anglian contemplate usage restrictions. Both leakage and interruption to supply measures remain ahead of target, despite more bursts caused by fluctuating weather. Setting standards Utilities are in the spotlight. Last year Angli- an's board committed to steps that improve the perception of its business and sector. It was the first to remove its Cayman com- pany – with which it says it never gained tax advantage. The company also committed to reduce debt/gearing, changed its board so independent non-executive directors are the majority, and committed to reinvest £165 mil- lion this AMP into drought resilience and customer experience. Anglian believes it has moved fastest and gone furthest in response to the legitimacy challenge. In 2017/18, it became the first European utility to raise a Green Bond. Its approach to carbon, governance, and its alliances mean the bond is accredited to the whole capital programme, not just specific projects. In December 2017, Anglian developed, with Arup, a model to assess organisational "resilience-in-the-round", which six other companies have subsequently adopted in their business plan submissions. Arup's model shows Anglian is leading in many areas, and actively improving in others. Innovating for tomorrow In 2018 Anglian launched "Water Resources East" – a collaborative, cross-sector approach to resource planning including agriculture, energy and the environment. In the same year it also launched its innovation hub around Newmarket – The Smarter Drop. More than 100 partners par- ticipate in 95+ projects. This builds on the 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises active through Anglian's "water innovation network". Anglian reduced consumption in Newmarket by 6 per cent, and leakage by 23 per cent, August 2017 to February 2018. Supporting customers Since 1989, enabled by efficiency, Anglian customers have seen the sector's lowest bill increase – just 10 per cent versus an industry average of 46 per cent. The company reduced its average bill by 10 per cent in 2015-2020. This was the biggest decrease of any com- pany and twice the sector average. Where households struggle to pay, Anglian offers a range of support, best exem- plified through benefit maximisation, deliv- ered in partnership with Citizens Advice. Winner's comments "We're extremely proud to be named Utility of the Year 2018. This award is a testament to all the hard work of our staff, partners and suppliers over the past 12 months. "Water, along with other utilities, is vital in powering our region's businesses and local economy, and in the East of England we face some unique challenges; being the driest, but fastest growing region in the UK. "On top of that it's been a challenging year, with extremes in weather from a freezing winter, to a long, dry summer, both of which we've managed without compromising service to our customers. "Anglian Water has been leading the way in tackling some of the most pressing issues in our industry. This year we've made a pledge to tackle plastic waste across the East of England, launched state-of-the-art technology to drive down leakage even further, concluded our biggest ever consultation with our customers, issued a second Green Bond to generate sustainable finance for the future, and been awarded first place in the water industry league for customer service by our regulator. "This award is a fantastic end to 2018, but we won't stop striving to be better; we'll continue to do even more for our customers, businesses and the environment in 2019 and beyond." PETER SIMPSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ANGLIAN WATER Anglian Water on awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel in December 2018  The 2019 Utility Week Awards will be opening soon. Sponsorship opportunities are available – contact Utility Week business development manager Ben Hammond on benhammond@fav-house.com or call 01342 332116 for more information. Other shortlisted companies in this category were: • Clear Business • Northumbrian Water Group • SGN • So Energy • UK Power Networks

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