Wessex Water bosses handed £50,000 in extra pay despite Labour government’s bonus ban

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Jasper JollyJanuary 10, 2026 at 09:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Wessex Water executives, including chief executive Ruth Jefferson and chief financial officer Andy Pymer, received previously undisclosed extra pay totaling £50,000 from the parent company, Wessex Water Ltd. These payments occurred in the year ending June 2025, during which Wessex Water Services Ltd, the regulated water supplier, was banned from paying bonuses due to a prior criminal conviction for pollution. The payments, made between July and October 2024, were in addition to their regular compensation from the regulated company. The Malaysian YTL group, owner of Wessex Water, initially declined to disclose the source of the payments, raising transparency concerns. The bonus ban was implemented by the government following criminal pollution by Wessex Water that killed over 2,000 fish.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

England 30% Malaysia 30% Liberal Democrat 40% Sarah Dyke 40% Colin Skellett ×250% Wessex Water Services Ltd ×260% Wessex Water Ltd ×260% YTL group ×470% Andy Pymer ×580% Ruth Jefferson ×580% Wessex Water ×690%

Keywords

wessex water 90% executive pay 90% bonus ban 80% transparency 70% water company 60% ytl group 50% financial accounts 50% ruth jefferson 40% andy pymer 40%