Alan Shaw

Head of Internal Audit @Affinity Water

Hatfield, GB

Affinity Water is the largest water-only supplier in the UK, serving 3.8m customers. It has an annual turnover of £287m (2020/21). I was hired as Head of Audit, Risk and Compliance, before my job title changed in January 2022 to Head of Internal Audit. I report to the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee on a quarterly basis and the Executive Management team (EMT) on a monthly basis, and have been accountable for transforming the internal audit, risk and compliance function by embedding a risk management strategy and framework. My remit also involves preparing and presenting Board and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee papers and providing strategic insights to guide decision making, whilst leading audits, including a recent audit to investigate disruptive events, including burst water pipes, that have a direct impact on customer water supply, and utilised findings to inform the upgrading of contingency plans.Most notably, I was instrumental in transforming the strategic approach and working practices in internal audit, to drive a focus on internal audit in the eyes of the EMT and Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee. I also played a key role in ensuring the identification, assessment and regular review of the most significant strategic and directorate-level risks, which was instrumental in embedding effective and efficient risk management practices across the entire organisation. In addition, I led a project to determine the company’s risk appetite levels and statements, and have consistently delivered all aspects of annual internal audit plans and value-added initiatives.