I first met Chris in the mid 1980's when I was Finance Director at Anglian Water. The water authorities were confronted with the prospect of privatisation around 1986 and Chris became my right hand man, supporting me in endless meetings and preparing for the big change which occurred in October 1989 when Anglian Water Authority became Anglian Water Plc. Chris's support was invaluable and his regular appearances at critical Board meetings greatly increased his standing within AW. I and the whole Board were clear that Chris should replace me as Finance Director when I became Group Managing Director in 1990. Chris and I did not agree on absolutely everything but we were never far apart on the really big issues. We spent many hours together promoting the AW business to investors and in critical meetings with our key regulator, OFWAT. Chris developed a reputation as a formidable Finance Director and was held in high regard by the Board and by the institutions in the city of London. Chris was very popular with the people he worked with who recognised his abilities and valued his friendly approach. I retired at the end of 1997 and Chris's promotion to Group MD was an easy decision for the Board. Both Deb and I are shocked and saddened by Chris's passing and our hearts go out to his beloved family. Alan Smith January 17th 2017