David Bird

Retail and Transformation Director

Appointed as Retail Director in November 2022 and as Retail and Transformation Director in March 2025.

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 of Thames Water

Experience

David spent his early career in a number of different customer-focused 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 as 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 and has significant experience in using contracted workforces. David’s experience 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 roles in the NHS, Department for Education and the Independent Police Complaints Commission. He is currently a Supervisory Board Member at Saur Group, which is a leading player in the global water market. Saur Group operates in over 20 countries, with a turnover in excess of €2 billion.