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Operations & Assets UTILITY WEEK | 15TH - 21ST JULY 2016 | 27 Analysis F ollowing a 2015 marred by a crypto- sporidium outbreak that made national headlines for weeks, United Utilities has bounced back in 2016. It has led the news on its own terms, with an audacious joint venture with Severn Trent, named Water Plus, set to take the non-household retail market by storm. Despite this bold plan, UU suffered alongside the other listed water companies in its 2015/16 annual results as the first year of AMP6 took hold. The company has long been mooted as a potential takeover target, though there have been no bids in recent years. Despite specific challenges around its geographic area in the North West and a preponderance of low income customers, UU continues to be a fairly solid, middle-ranking player in the water market, with a stable and well-respected management team. The background North West Water, which now forms part of United Utilities, was floated alongside Eng- land and Wales' nine other water companies in the water market privatisation of 1989. At the time, North West Water was sup- plying 2,510 megalitres of water daily, sec- ond only to Thames Water, supplying 2,804 United Utilities bounces back Utility Week presents an executive summary of the latest company profile report from its premium information service, Utility Week Intelligence, looking at the highs and lows of United Utilities. Utility Week Intelligence members are able to download the full report by visiting: i.utilityweekintelligence.co.uk/ This article provides a snapshot of the United Utilities company profile. To access it in full, simply log into your Utility Week Intelligence account. For more information on Utility Week Intelligence, including a free trial promotion, contact Peter Bissell, Utility Week membership, on +44 (0)1342 332057 or email peterbissell@utilityweek.co.uk. megalitres. Severn Trent — together with which United Utilities is joining forces in 2016 to create a competitive offer in the non- household market — was third by number of megalitres per day, at 1,897. Shares in United Utilities have climbed by 298.1 per cent over the 27 years since flo- tation, from 240 pence in 1989 to a close of 955.5 pence on 1 June 2016, significantly out- performing the FTSE 100, whose value rose 181.1 per cent, from 2,200 to 6,184.6 pence over the same period. The company has tried and failed to become a multi-utility, acquiring electricity supplier and distributor Norweb in 1995, and later buying a stake in gas network operator Northern Gas Networks. However, by 2010 it had disposed of these and other non-core assets to focus solely on water. Vital statistics 55,000 hectares of catchment land 120,000km of water pipe and sewers 567 wastewater treatment works 93 water treatment works 178 reservoirs Key personnel • Steve Mogford, chief executive • James Bowling, chief financial officer • Alison Goligher appointed non-executive director with effect from 1 August 2016, to join the audit, nomination, remuneration and corporate responsibility committees • Louise Beardmore, customer service director • Jonathan Dobson, sustainability strategy manager • Neil Carroll, energy manager • Tony Griffiths, wastewater network manager Key personnel, Water Plus • Sue Amies-King, chief executive • Stuart Howell, chief financial officer