One of Scotland’s leading executives, Ed Smith has joined Business Stream as a Non-executive Director, further strengthening the specialist water retailer’s board as the company gears up for the opening of the English water market in April 2017.

Previously Head of Global Transaction Banking at Lloyds Banking Group, Ed joins the senior team with an impressive track record, including 16 years of board level experience across a range of sectors including food and drink, manufacturing, banking and insurance.

Susan Rice, Chair of Business Stream said: “In Ed, we’ve appointed a senior executive with experience of business transformation, supply chain management, M&A integration and customer service excellence, all of which will be key to our growth plans. He’s a welcome addition to our board, and I’m sure he’ll play a key role as we prepare to compete in the English water market from April next year.

With competition in Scotland now firmly established, Business Stream is aiming to extend its foothold in the English market, which opens to competition in April 2017. Around 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England will be able to choose their water supplier, currently an option only available to the largest users.”

Ed Smith added: “I’m delighted to be joining Business Stream at such an exciting time. The next year will be pivotal for Business Stream and I’m looking forward to playing a part in the company’s continued expansion across the UK.”

Already the market leader in Scotland, Business Stream is set to be the third-biggest operator in the combined Anglo-Scottish market, having purchased the non-household customer base of Southern Water during the summer.