Chief executive Heidi Mottram, who joined the company from Northern Rail in 2010, picked up the prize for Utility of the Year at the ceremony in London’s Grosvenor Hotel. Judges said Northumbrian had “consistently outperformed its peers”.
Northumbrian also won Community Initiative of the Year, Marketing Initiative of the Year, Supply Chain Excellence and the Environment Award.
Mottram said: “The fact that we have won awards in five different categories, including Utility of the Year, emphasises the fact that we are committed to providing the best service possible, working for and with the communities we serve. It also demonstrates the one team ethos and dedication shown by everyone across the board at Northumbrian Water on a daily basis.
“Recognition such as this helps to cement our position as leaders in the water and sewerage industry and spurs us on to maintain the highest standards of service.”
Basil Scarsella, chief executive of UK Power Networks, was named Industry Champion in recognition of his career achievements across water and energy. He helped lead the networks through a major change in the regulatory process and had a hand in the utilities’ “outstanding response” to the London Olympics, judges said.
The Digital Utilities Award also went to a network company, Scotia Gas Networks. Gas and utility connections company Fulcrum scooped the Capital Project Management Award. Water firm United Utilities got the Staff Development Award.
Three energy suppliers came away with prizes. RWE Npower won Team of the Year, SSE IT Initiative of the Year and Ecotricity took the Customer Care Award.