Letter to Severn Trent CEO James Jesic

Dear James,

We, the undersigned, are appalled to learn that your CEO’s remuneration package, including bonuses, has been increased substantially despite Severn Trent being responsible for more than 300 pollution incidents in 2024 and continuing to face widespread public concern over the environmental impact of its operations.

This decision is particularly troubling at a time when customers are being asked to pay higher water bills while many rivers, streams and waterways across your region continue to suffer from pollution. Customers reasonably expect their money to be invested in maintaining and improving infrastructure, reducing leaks, preventing pollution incidents and protecting the environment—not in delivering ever larger rewards for senior executives.

According to reports in The Guardian, Severn Trent’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) has been increased from 200% to 400% of the Chief Executive’s base salary. This could raise the Chief Executive’s total annual remuneration to as much as £3.1 million. At a time when many households are struggling with the cost of living and facing rising utility bills, this sends the wrong message entirely.

We recognise the importance of attracting and retaining talented leaders. However, executive reward must be linked to outcomes that matter to customers and the environment. It is difficult to justify such a substantial increase in potential pay when pollution incidents remain a persistent concern and when customers are being asked to contribute more through higher charges.

We therefore urge Severn Trent to reconsider these arrangements and demonstrate that the interests of customers, communities and the environment come before excessive executive rewards. Public trust is earned through responsible stewardship, environmental performance and accountability – not through awarding multimillion-pound pay packages while customers pay more and waterways continue to suffer. Until meaningful improvements are delivered, any increase in executive remuneration risks being seen as rewarding failure rather than success.

Regards,

Cat Eccles MP for Stourbridge

Samantha Niblett MP for South Derbyshire

Jess Phillips MP for Birmingham Yardley

Leigh Ingham MP for Stafford

Andrew Ranger MP for Wrexham

Simon Opher MP for Stroud

Jodie Gosling MP for Nuneaton

Allison Gardner MP for Stoke-on-Trent South

Sureena Brackenridge MP for Wolverhampton North East

Dave Robertson MP for Lichfield

Gareth Snell MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central

David Williams MP for Stoke-on-Trent North

John Slinger MP for Rugby

Josh Newbury MP for Cannock Chase

Valerie Vaz MP for Walsall and Bloxwich

Rachel Taylor MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth

Chris Bloore MP for Redditch

Julia Buckley MP for Shrewsbury

Antonia Bance MP for Tipton and Wednesbury

Jacob Collier MP for Burton and Uttoxeter