The only female water company boss in England and Wales achieved a career double when she was asked to spearhead the UK's water industry association.

Margaret Devlin, managing director of South East Water, has agreed to chair Water UK, the body which represents UK water companies at national and European level.

The 43-year-old, who has been at the helm of Haywards Heathbased South East Water since 1999, is already a member of the Water UK Council and its steering committee.

She joins the ranks of other female bosses who work in the sector including Water UK chief executive Pamela Taylor and Environment Agency chief executive Barbara Young. Other top women in the industry include the Drinking Water Inspectorate's chief inspector Jeni Colbourne and Dame Yve Buckland, chairwoman designate of the Consumer Council for Water.

Mrs Devlin said she was delighted to take up her new role with Water UK as the industry faced up to the challenges posed by the recent price review.

She said: "I am looking forward to working with the team at Water UK in preparing for the next price review from 2010.

"Water UK is also looking to realise the potential public health benefit of low-cost, high-quality drinking water by improving access, awareness and perception.

"We will also be pushing for future water regulation which is better at promoting customer service, environmental protection and economic development."

Mrs Devlin was born and educated in Belfast. She gained an honours degree in business studies and finance at the University of Ulster.

Before joining Eastbourne Water as customer services manager in 1990, she was an area manager with furniture retailers Maples.

In 1992 Eastbourne Water merged with Mid-Sussex and West Kent water companies to form South East Water.

Mrs Devlin joined the new company as customer services manager and later took responsibility for all regulatory aspects of the business.

In February 1996 she was appointed general manager of South East Water.

In November 1997 Mrs Devlin became deputy managing director, responsible for the operation of the company. In March 1999 she was appointed managing director of South East Water.

She is currently chairwoman of the Sussex Institute of Directors and has been on the judging panel for the Young Enterprise Awards.

Mrs Devlin is also an active member of the Institution of Water Officers. She was area president in 2000 and is currently national president.