Ancala-backed Leep Utilities appoints new CEO and Deputy CEO

Stephen founded Icosa Water (Icosa), a regulated water and wastewater business for residential and commercial developments across England and Wales, in 2016. He developed Icosa into a nationwide operator which led to the business being acquired by Last Mile Group in 2020. He continued to serve as Managing Director of Icosa until 2024. Prior to Icosa, Stephen held senior leadership roles across the sector, including at Albion Water and Independent Water Networks, where he was closely involved in establishing and scaling regulated utility platforms serving new developments.

Lee Kitchen joined Leep four years ago as CFO and has played a central role in growing the business and strengthening the company’s financial, operational and commercial foundations. Prior to Leep, Lee held senior finance roles at ENGIE and in mid-market professional services and pharmaceuticals businesses. In his expanded role as Deputy CEO, Lee will continue his CFO duties and take on additional responsibility for driving execution across the business, translating strategy into clear priorities and disciplined delivery.

The appointments come at an exciting time for Leep, as the business continues to build on its position as a leading national multi-utility platform, delivering water, electricity and heating infrastructure to developments across the UK.

The leadership changes follow Louise Manfredi’s decision to step down as CEO of the business at the end of June 2026. Louise has led Leep through an exceptional period, overseeing the expansion of the business, the broadening of its service offering and the strengthening of its culture and leadership team.

Louise joined the business as CEO at its inception in 2017 when leading infrastructure manager Ancala first invested in the business. Leep has expanded from a small regional operator with 2,000 contracted connections into a national last-mile multi-utility platform, delivering water, electricity, heating and cooling to some of the UK’s largest residential and commercial developments. Today, Leep has more than 200,000 contracted connections, a rapidly growing asset base and long-term relationships with leading housebuilders, developers and local authorities.

Stephen Bradley, CEO of Leep Utilities, comments:

“Louise and the team have done a fantastic job developing Leep Utilities into a first-choice provider of last-mile utility connections in the UK. I’m looking forward to building on this success, growing, enhancing and developing new solutions for developers and customers as we look to build on Leep’s market-leading position.”

Louise Manfredi, Departing CEO of Leep Utilities, adds:

“It has been the greatest privilege of my career to lead Leep through such a transformational period. I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved together and confident that the business is exceptionally well positioned for the future. I look forward to cheering the team on as I take a well-deserved break.”

Lee Kitchen, Deputy CEO of Leep Utilities, comments:

“I’m delighted to step into the role of Deputy CEO at such an important moment for Leep. Over the past four years, we’ve built strong foundations across the business, and my focus now is on maintaining momentum, supporting our people, and ensuring we continue to deliver reliably for our customers and partners.”