Finance

Severn Trent CEO Liv Garfield to step down after 11 years

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 19, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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(Reuters) -British water utility Severn Trent said on Wednesday that its chief executive Liv Garfield will step down after 11 years in the role, and will be replaced by insider James Jesic on January

Severn Trent CEO Liv Garfield Resigns After 11-Year Tenure

(Reuters) -British water utility Severn Trent said on Wednesday that its chief executive Liv Garfield will step down after 11 years in the role, and will be replaced by insider James Jesic on January 1, 2026. 

Jesic is currently the director of capital and commercial services at Severn Trent.

"Having made a strong start to the largest ever investment programme, Liv and the Board agree that this is the right time to transition to a new CEO," the company said in a statement, referring to its 15 billion-pound ($19.72 billion) investment programme between 2025 and 2030.

Severn Trent's shares have risen nearly 53% during Garfield’s tenure.

The company also posted a pretax profit of 307.8 million pounds for the six months to September 30, up from 192.3 million pounds a year earlier.

($1 = 0.7607 pounds)

(Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

Key Takeaways

  • Liv Garfield to step down as Severn Trent CEO after 11 years.
  • James Jesic appointed as new CEO starting January 2026.
  • Severn Trent plans a £15 billion investment from 2025 to 2030.
  • Company shares rose 53% during Garfield's leadership.
  • Severn Trent's pretax profit increased significantly year-on-year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pretax profit?
Pretax profit refers to the earnings of a company before taxes are deducted. It is an important measure of a company's profitability and is used to assess financial performance.
What is an investment program?
An investment program is a planned strategy for investing money in various assets to achieve specific financial goals. It often includes a mix of stocks, bonds, and other securities.
What are shares?
Shares represent ownership in a company. When individuals buy shares, they become shareholders and have a claim on part of the company's assets and earnings.
What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. It encompasses the relationships among stakeholders and the goals for which the corporation is governed.

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