Yorkshire's Mayors write to Yorkshire Water over performance and 'egregious' payments to CEO
It comes after reports Yorkshire Water CEO Nicola Shaw has received an additional £1.3m in undisclosed pay
Last updated 8th Aug 2025
Yorkshire's four Metro Mayors have written to Yorkshire Water, calling for an urgent meeting over what they see as poor performance, and amid reports of undisclosed payments to the company's Chief Executive.
Yorkshire Water customers are facing a 41% increase in bills at a time when the company has been fined for repeated sewage and chemical spills.
It is now being reported that CEO Nicola Shaw has received £1.3m in undisclosed additional pay from an offshore company, despite previously pledging not to take an annual bonus.
The region's four Metro Mayors Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire, Labour), Luke Campbell (East Yorkshire, Reform UK), Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire, Labour) and David Skaith (North Yorkshire, Labour) have called the award "wholly unacceptable" and are now demanding answers.
In their joint letter, the leaders write: "Public confidence in Yorkshire Water is at rock bottom, and these decisions taken by the company obscure any of the good work we are undertaking together.
"The apparent disconnect between executive rewards and company performance raises serious questions about Yorkshire Water's long-term investment strategy and its commitment to serving Yorkshire's communities.
"It is also a concern that bonuses of this size can only suggest that the CEO gave this second role substantial focus, questioning her commitment to her main role at Yorkshire Water.
"We believe Yorkshire Water's customers and communities deserve clear answers about how their money is being spent, why executive rewards continue to rise, and how this aligns with the sharp increase in bills and declining service standards."
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “We understand the strength of feeling on the items outlined in their letter and welcome the opportunity to meet with the local mayors and council leaders to discuss these in more detail.”