Gas emergency and pipeline service Wales & West Utilities has appointed a new Area Engineering Manager for South West England.
Darryl Goddard, 46 and from Uffculme in Devon, takes over from Stephen Pitman, who retired this month after 40 years of work in the gas industry.
New Area Engineering Manager Darryl
Darryl will be based in Wales & West Utilities Exeter base and will lead the company’s Build & Repair teams across the south west, who are working to maintain existing gas equipment and laying new gas supply pipes to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.
Darryl, who studied at Exeter College before going onto Plymouth University, joined Wales & West Utilities when the company was set up in 2005 but has over 27 years of experience of working within the gas industry. He has held many positions within the company including planning the company’s multi-million pound gas pipe investment programme, and more recently in operational and senior management roles.
Darryl said:
“I’m looking forward to working alongside my managers and teams to keep communities right across the south west safe and warm.
“I’m proud to be following in Stephen’s footsteps and building on the work he’s done – and so excited to be looking after the area I grew up in. I’m focussed on making sure that homes and businesses right across south west England continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply, and we can continue to deliver the outstanding levels of service our customers expect.”
Andrew Hopkins, Wales & West Utilities Director of Operations added:
“I’m delighted to be welcoming Darryl to the Operations Management Team and look forward to working with him to face the challenges of the future. We’re working hard at keeping the gas flowing, preparing the gas network for the future and keeping our customers and colleagues safe while keeping our costs and contribution to energy bills as low as possible.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, takes pride in serving Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.