Wessex part of global water group

WESSEX WATER, which was taken over by Enron of the US for pounds 1.4bn this week, is to become part of a worldwide water business called Azurix, its new owners said yesterday. The Texas-based gas and electricity company said the name came from "azure" meaning a clear blue colour, and "radix" which means root or point of origin.

Nicholas Hood, the chairman of Wessex, will become deputy chairman of the new company, while the former chief executive, Colin Skellet, becomes executive director of technical and operating services. Azurix will be chaired by Enron's Rebecca Mark and will have dual headquarters in Houston and London.