Introducing Mike Williamson, Mike is the head of Severn Trent Services.
How long have you been working for Severn Trent?
Just over seven years. I joined the company in February 2015.
What does your main job role entail?
I look after the portfolio of businesses that make up Severn Trent Services (STS). Namely: The Water Services Contracts; Oren Environmental Services; Water Hygiene, Severn Trent Searches; and our partnership with HomeServe. I’m responsible for the 312 people (it keeps on growing, so don’t quote the number for long) that are part of the STS family, and the overall performance of the company.
What was your first role here at Severn Trent and has it changed?
My first role at Severn Trent was looking after Network Control and Asset Management for Severn Trent Water. I was responsible for ensuring the water and wastewater network worked every day for the company’s eight million customers. It was a very operationally focused job! I did it for nearly four years, before moving to STS in December 2018.
What’s the best thing about working for Severn Trent Services?
Three things stand out for me. I love being part of an organisation that feels like a family, where despite the odd little argument, everyone is pulling together for the greater good of the team and is utterly supportive as they do so. Second, I love our customer focus. Every day I can feel people continually looking at better ways to serve our customers and deliver our products and services to them. And I love the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. We’ve been growing successfully for the last three years and that’s happened because of people’s ideas becoming reality. It’s fantastic to see so many ideas and folks not fearing making them a reality.
What is your proudest personal moment (in or outside of work)?
Bringing my children up with my partner.
If you could name one individual who’s helped you over the years, who would they be and why?
This question invokes lists of people who have helped me through the years. There are literally hundreds from my first football manager to Liv Garfield, the current CEO at Severn Trent. And it won’t stop. I’m still learning new things and seeking help, advice, support and counsel. I just hope that I give back and help others in the way that I’ve been helped.
What has been your most memorable moment working for Severn Trent?
Our current safety record and approach to our colleagues’ wellbeing makes me very proud, although I know that we need to keep working on this every day to make sure that it keeps improving.
