‘Time for change’ for YW director

Michelle Lewis left last month after eight years in a number of roles at the company. She was appointed head of communications in 2010 and made a director in 2012.

In a statement, Yorkshire Water said: “As we approach the end of the current five year investment cycle, Michelle decided it was the right time for a change.”

Ms Lewis led the communications team and was heavily involved in the launch of industry body Open Water. She also helped to develop Yorkshire Water’s current strategy.

The foreign-owned utility came under fire last year after it emerged it paid no corporation tax in the year to March 2013 in spite of making a pre-tax profit of £186m.

Yorkshire MPs grilled the senior management on the issue.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, criticised the team’s large salaries, including the £165,000 paid to Ms Lewis, and said the “highly paid – highly compensated – board members showed no contrition.”

Ms Lewis previously spent four years at Asda and also worked for the Yorkshire Electricity Group.

Richard Flint, Yorkshire Water’s chief executive, said: “We’d like to wish Michelle all the best for the future and thank her for her contribution over the last eight years.”

No decision has been made on a replacement for the role.