Mark Thurston

Mark Thurston is the chief executive of Anglian Water. He is in the news because his total pay package for the past year amounted to £1.9 million. This figure includes a significant "retention payment" of £500,000, which was awarded despite a government ban on bonuses for water company executives. This situation has drawn public criticism, as it occurred amidst widespread public anger over rising water bills and ongoing concerns about pollution caused by water companies. Thurston's compensation is part of a broader trend where water company bosses' pay has increased, even when facing public scrutiny and regulatory pressures related to environmental performance and service delivery. His substantial earnings highlight the ongoing debate about executive remuneration in the water industry and its alignment with public interest and environmental responsibilities.