From Apprentice to Chief Maintenance Officer: Phil White’s Journey at United Utilities

Phil White’s career at United Utilities is a story of growth, resilience, and continuous learning. Starting as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer in 1997, Phil has spent 28 years with the organisation, embracing every challenge and opportunity along the way.

“I joined United Utilities in 1997 as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer. The application process was fairly similar to today – an initial application, online tests, practical tests and an interview. Looking back, it was daunting as a fresh school leaver, but I had my sights set on an engineering apprenticeship and was determined to do well. I was attracted to United Utilities because of the size of the organisation. I was fortunate to have a few job offers at the time, but I (and my dad) felt that this company would provide stability and career growth – and we were proved right!”

Leading Maintenance for Half a Million Assets

Phil’s career has evolved significantly since those early days. Today, he is Chief Maintenance Officer, responsible for the maintenance of around half a million above-ground assets – including pumps, motors, gearboxes and valves – that deliver essential services to customers.

• Setting the maintenance strategy for the organisation
• Understanding the health and performance of assets
• Leading a team of 200 in maintenance services, with wider influence over approximately 500 engineers across water and wastewater operations

“We maintain assets to ensure they perform as expected when needed. It’s a huge responsibility, but one that’s critical to keeping services running for our customers.”

Shaping the Future Workforce

Phil also plays a key role in developing talent for the future. He sits on the Apprentice Governance Group, helping guide programmes to attract the best talent and fresh ideas, ensuring United Utilities keeps pace with industry changes and learning trends.

“I’ve always believed that if you put in the effort, you get rewarded. There are so many opportunities for growth here – but they don’t just land in your lap. It takes hard work and a willingness to learn. That’s why I’ve always been open to new challenges, which is how I ended up in Learning & Development earlier in my career. I grasped every opportunity.”

Commitment to Learning and Development

Phil’s passion for learning is clear. Since completing his apprenticeship, he has been sponsored to achieve a HND in Mechanical Engineering, a Graduate Certificate in Management, and an MBA with distinction.

“The best part of my job is seeing the impact of development – whether it’s apprentices starting their careers or experienced engineers upskilling. Watching people grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding.”

Advice for Aspiring Apprentices

Phil’s advice to new apprentices is simple but powerful:

“Always be willing to listen to those who give up their time to teach you. There are lots of people willing to help and share their knowledge – you just need to be a good listener and learn from them.”