Yorkshire Water boss resigns after firm downgraded

Yorkshire Water's chief executive has announced she is to step down, just 24 hours after the company was given the lowest possible environmental rating by the Environment Agency

Nicola Shaw, who has led the firm since 2022, will leave the role on 1 January to be replaced by Nicola Medalova, a chartered environmental health officer who previously worked for the National Grid.

In a statement on Friday, Shaw said it had been a "privilege" to lead the company but that it was "the right time" to leave her post.

Shaw has faced criticism in recent years, including for for taking £1.3m in undisclosed payments between 2023 and 2025, while the company has come under scrutiny for its performance.

On Thursday, the Environment Agency gave the firm one star out of four - its lowest possible rating - meaning Yorkshire Water was classed as a "poorly performing company".

The EA said Yorkshire Water was responsible for 260 pollution incidents in 2025, which was its highest total since 2011.

In 2024, Ofwat announced it was fining the company £47m for historic sewage leaks.