Spring Announces Peter Perry As New Chair
Peter Perry (Image source: Spring Innovation)
Perry, outgoing chief executive of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, took up the role on 9 July 2025, succeeding interim chair Nigel Watson, who stepped in following the retirement of Steve Kaye in November 2024.
With 45 years’ experience in water, Perry joined Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water as an apprentice in the early 1980s, progressing through a range of operational and senior leadership roles before becoming chief executive in 2020. He has also played a key leadership role for the water industry at a UK level, is a member of the Water UK board of directors and an advisor on the UK Resilience Forum.
Perry will steer Spring into its next phase, with a focus on securing long-term stability to ensure continued support for innovators across the water sector.
Carly Perry, managing director, Spring, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Peter Perry as chair of Spring. He brings extensive experience in leadership and a deep understanding of the industry challenges we are working to solve by fuelling innovation and collaboration.
“On behalf of the board, I also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nigel Watson and Steve Kaye. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in laying a strong foundation for Spring’s future growth.”
Peter Perry said: “I’m thrilled to step into this role at such a pivotal time for the sector. Spring’s mission is clear: to unite the best minds and ideas across the industry so we can tackle our biggest challenges together.
“This approach is already delivering value across the sector - now we need to go further to truly turn the tide. I look forward to working with Spring’s supporters to secure long-term stability and continue accelerating meaningful change.”
Driving innovation
Launched in 2021, Spring was established to drive delivery of the sector’s 2050 Water Innovation Strategy. The body offers a suite of services including knowledge-sharing and connecting innovators with the right companies – if a solution aligns with water company needs, Spring can assess fit and make introductions to key stakeholders.
Most recently, Spring has been building central intelligence for PFAS innovation across the UK and Ireland. Innovators who are developing technologies or approaches to detect, treat or remove PFAS, can share their work through Spring.
In areas of water efficiency and clean water sludge, Spring has mapped the innovation landscape and will soon release insights into existing activity.
Source: Spring Innovation
