Affinity appoints legal panel

Affinity Water has appointed a team of five firms to its new legal panel to assist the company with its climate change and water resource challenges.

Addleshaw Goddard, Burges Salmon, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells and Pinsent Masons were appointed following a tender process.

These organisations will work with Affinity’s in-house legal team to advise on a wide range of sector issues including regulation, the environment, energy, competition, property, employment and corporate finance.

The contract will run for three years with an option to extend for up to another five years.

Affinity’s interim chief executive, Stuart Ledger, said: “As the UK’s largest water only company the expert advice we receive from them will help us to protect the environment, and ensure we deliver a first-rate service to our communities at a challenging time for the climate and the water sector.”

Sunita Kaushal, general counsel and company secretary added that the team will provide knowledge and expertise required to enhance the writing of the company’s business plans.

She added: “The water industry has to grapple with climate change and other pressing issues which impact on the environment and water resources particularly in the south-east. We are looking forward to building a long-standing trusted relationship with our five legal partners.”

The company underwent a series of changes this year since the departure of Pauline Walsh in September, which coincided with redundancies in the business. Ledger stepped into the interim role of chief executive from chief financial officer.