NORTHUMBRIAN Water has picked a replacement for its high-profile director of corporate affairs John Mowbray.

The Durham-based utility’s head of corporate responsibility Louise Hunter will take over from Mowbray when he leaves next month on his 55th birthday.

Blyth-born Hunter, 37, has worked for the company for six years, much of the time with Mowbray on community and environmental projects.

She said: “John has done a fantastic job and I am very excited about the idea of building on all he has done, working with stakeholders in the business world and supporting communities.

“I’m excited by this fantastic opportunity and really looking forward to being able to build on our leading national position.”

She will also carry on helping to raise money for the company’s chosen charity WaterAid, for which Mowbray helped to raise more than £5m over the last 15 years.

Heidi Mottram, Northumbrian Water’s chief executive officer, said: “This is a big job at a big company and I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Louise.

“Northumbrian Water has an important role to support the economic growth of the regions in which it operates as well as providing vital water and waste water services for the wellbeing of four-and-a-half million customers in the North East and in Essex and Suffolk.

“Louise will be able to focus her wide knowledge of the business world and her vast experience of community involvement to make sure Northumbrian Water is doing all our business can to support and develop those crucial areas.”