Matthew Wright, the former chief executive of Southern Water, appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Friday, 11 September 2026, charged with conspiracy to defraud. He is accused of manipulating water quality tests to avoid penalties.
Mr Wright, 60, who denies any wrongdoing, appeared alongside three other former employees: Philip Barker, 57, Clive Massey, 64, and Mark Gregory, 63. They are accused of conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and water regulator Ofwat.
It is alleged that between January 2012 and December 2017, the group manipulated a self-monitoring regime by carrying out artificial "no-flow events" at wastewater treatment works. This alleged conduct could have avoided fines of £45m or higher, according to the charges.
Three further defendants, Mark Butler, 45, David James, 58, and Terry Stephens, 67, also appeared in court on Friday accused of the same offence. All seven defendants were granted unconditional bail.
District Judge Stephen Leake sent the case to Maidstone Crown Court, where the defendants are scheduled to appear on 9 October.