Yorkshire Water chief executive to step down after four and a half years
Nicola Medalova will take over the role on 1st January 2027
The chief executive of Yorkshire Water has decided to step down after four and a half years leading the company.
Nicola Shaw will be succeeded by Nicola Medalova, who has been appointed CEO Designate.
Yorkshire Water announced the change on Friday 30th October.
Handover period
Nicola Medalova joins Yorkshire Water on 2nd November and will take over as chief executive on 1st January 2027.
Nicola Shaw will continue to lead the business during what the company has described as a structured handover period.
Yorkshire Water said she will work closely with her successor to ensure continuity and improvement for customers, stakeholders, employees and shareholders.
Nicola Medalova has previously served as a Non-Executive Director on the Yorkshire Water Board.
What was said
Jon Lewis, chair of Yorkshire Water, thanked the outgoing chief executive for her contribution.
He said: "I would like to thank Nicola Shaw for the important contribution she has made to Yorkshire Water."
He added: "Under her leadership, the company secured £500m of new shareholder equity, with a further £600m committed, enabling us to embark on the largest investment programme in our history and accelerate work to strengthen the resilience of Yorkshire's water network."
Mr Lewis also said: "The Board believes she is the right person to lead the company through its next phase, improving service for customers, reducing pollution and delivering the investment needed to modernise Yorkshire's water network."
Nicola Shaw said: "It has been a privilege to lead Yorkshire Water and serve the people of Yorkshire."
She added: "This now feels like the right time to begin an orderly transition to the company's next chapter."
Nicola Medalova said: "I am delighted to be joining Yorkshire Water and grateful to the Board for the opportunity to lead the business through its next chapter."
She added: "My immediate priority will be to listen and learn, while maintaining a relentless focus on delivery."
Who is Nicola Medalova?
According to Yorkshire Water, Nicola Medalova is an experienced infrastructure executive and board director.
She held a number of senior leadership positions at National Grid, most recently as Chief of Staff to the Group CEO.
She was previously Chief Operating Officer of National Grid New England, where she led a 4,000-person business operating across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Quebec.
She began her career in environmental protection regulation, working with Moray Council and alongside the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
She is a Chartered Environmental Health Officer and a Registered Specialist in Land Condition.
Yorkshire Water's investment plans
Yorkshire Water provides services to more than five million customers in the region.
The company says it is investing £8.3 billion between 2025 and 2030 to improve performance, reduce pollution and improve river quality.
Yorkshire Water says the investment will support up to 10,000 jobs.