Thames Water has announced Chris Weston will take the helm on 8 January, as the water supplier to London bids to turn around its fortunes.
Formerly managing director of Centrica, Weston has also served as chief executive of FTSE 250-listed power specialist Aggreko (LSE:AGK).
He has a “proven track record working in regulated environments, turning round business performance and improving customer experience”, Thames Water chairman Sir Adrian Montague said.
“He brings strong operational and strategic expertise as we enter this crucial period of delivering our refocused turnaround plan and providing the service that customers rightly expect of us.”
Thames Water, which supplies 15 million people in and around London, has hit trouble this year as fears mount - including of collapse - over its £14.7 billion debt pile.
Former chief executive Sarah Bentley left Thames Water suddenly in June, as the sector also faced intense pressure over leaks and sewage spills across the country.