Watts Water's General Counsel, Compliance Chief, And Sustainability Head To Retire After 23 Years
Kenneth R. Lepage notified Watts Water on September 28 that he will leave all three C-suite roles on March 31, 2027.
Watts Water Technologies disclosed Thursday that Kenneth R. Lepage — who simultaneously holds the titles of General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Sustainability Officer — will retire effective March 31, 2027, after more than 23 years at the company, according to an 8-K filed with the SEC. The company is launching a search for a single successor to fill all three roles.
What The Filing Says
Lepage notified the company on September 28, 2026, of his plan to step down. The 8-K, accepted at 9:48 a.m. ET on Thursday, lists his full title as General Counsel, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary — four concurrent designations that will need to be covered by whoever follows him.
The company said it intends to run a comprehensive search for a successor. Until that person is named, Lepage will remain in all three roles and will assist with the handoff of his responsibilities. No timeline for completing the search has been set.
WTS shares slipped about 0.16% to $353.62 in Thursday trading, a move that preceded the filing's acceptance, according to market data.
A Planned Exit, Not An Abrupt One
The structure of the departure is notable for its runway. Lepage gave notice roughly six months before his effective date — a longer lead than most executive departures — and the press release frames his continued presence through the transition as a deliberate feature of the succession plan.
Robert J. Pagano, Jr., Watts Water's Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairperson of the Board, credited Lepage with building out the company's governance and ethics infrastructure over his tenure. "Ken has played a critical role in strengthening our governance, compliance, ethics and sustainability programs, and his integrity and deep knowledge of our business have made him a valued advisor to our Board, leadership team and colleagues around the world," Pagano said.
Lepage, in a statement included in the press release, said: "It has been a privilege to serve Watts and to work alongside such talented colleagues, dedicated leaders and an exceptional Board of Directors. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the trust and support I have received throughout my career."
What The Search Has To Cover
The breadth of Lepage's portfolio makes the succession unusually complex. A single hire will need to span legal and regulatory counsel, enterprise compliance and ethics oversight, and the company's sustainability function — three disciplines that are often split across separate executives at large public companies.
Watts Water, headquartered at 815 Chestnut Street in North Andover, Massachusetts, describes itself as a global manufacturer offering plumbing, heating, and water quality products for commercial, residential, and industrial customers worldwide. The successor will inherit responsibility for legal, regulatory, and environmental matters across that global footprint.
The company has not named a candidate or indicated whether it will promote internally or hire externally.
Investors should watch for an announcement naming Lepage's successor ahead of his March 31, 2027 retirement date — the point at which all three roles must be covered.
