Pauline Walsh

Virtus designs, builds and operates world-leading data centres. It is supported by dedicated teams from its investors, ST Telemedia and Macquarie Asset Management as part of a strategy to build and operate a high quality, energy efficient European data centre portfolio.

Supporting MAM’s portfolio of Digital /Telco companies in Europe.

Eirgrid plans, manages and develops Ireland’s electricity grid. Enabling the transition to a low carbon future with 80% of Ireland’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.

As director of Roundturn Insights & Advisory, I advise and support infrastructure companies with ambitious growth and transformation plans.

Angel Trains is the largest UK ROSCO, owning and maintaining over 4000 rail vehicles, more than one-third of the UK’s passenger rolling stock.

KCOM is one of the longest established providers of communications services in the UK.

Chief Executive of Affinity Water which supplies drinking water to 3.8 million customers across London and SE England. Developed regulatory-required 5-year business plan within months of joining, followed by detailed roadmaps with clear targets, accountabilities and governance. Introduced new ways of working and technologies to reduce costs and improve operational performance, data management and compliance. In-house teams developed situational awareness tools using AI to enable better and faster decision-making. Encouraged a company culture of openness, inclusivity, innovation and continuous improvement and established constructive relationships with stakeholders including regulators, community leaders and customer groups. Elected water-only companies (WOC) representative on the board of Water UK, the trade association. In Year 1 of plan (2020-2021), during Covid, performance improved in 27 out of 28 targets; best-ever performance levels achieved for Health & Safety and Water Quality; won 4 out of 11 Ofwat Innovation awards as well as awards for creative campaigns and lean projects. Affinity Water moved up from a bottom rating to ‘middle of the pack’ in the financial regulator’s annual assessment of water companies.

Buccleuch’s investments included renewable energy, farming, hospitality and property development.

Responsible for safely and efficiently operating and maintaining the UK’s high-pressure gas National Transmission System with 6,700 km of pipework, 524 sites and 24 compressor stations across the UK. Initiated major Asset Health and Data Management programs and significantly reduced costs through risk prioritisation and new ways of working.

Responsible for Innovation & Development, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality and Customer Service, with teams based across Europe, China and India. Very fast-changing and dynamic industry. As European Executive Team member, responsible for driving top and bottom line growth. Introduced new Product Development process to improve collaboration and speed up time-to-market. Led business-wide ‘Cost of Poor Quality’ program, reducing operating costs by 11%.