David Bird

David Bird was appointed as Retail Director in November 2022.

Skills

• Transforming business performance and changing culture in a wide range of markets
• Creating long-term sustainable growth through a focus on customers and building new propositions
• Re-engineering operations through the use of digital technologies
• Significant mergers and acquisitions experience
• A breadth of experience that will support the turnaround and transformation at Thames Water

Experience

David spent his early career in a number of different service organisations. This includes Marks & Spencer, BUPA, Vodafone, Homebase and National Express. He then spent over a decade in the retail energy industry, as Managing Director of E.ON’s UK residential business and then CEO of Co-op Energy. After this, David was Chief Operating Officer at Biffa, which is the UK’s leading waste management company. 

He has held line management responsibility for over 10,000 colleagues. He also has significant experience in using contracted workforces. David's experiencen is vast and varied, covering both regulated and non-regulated markets. He has worked in both fast-moving high technology industries and heavily unionised environments. 

David has over 15 years' experience in non-executive director roles. This includes the NHS, Department for Education and the Independent Police Complaints Commission. He is currently a Supervisory Board Member at Saur Groupa, which is a leading player in the global water market. Saur Groupa operates in over 20 countries, with turnover in excess of €2 billion. It is the third largest water company in France, the largest in Portugal and fourth in Spain.