Following confirmation from the Environment Secretary, Iain
Coucher has been appointed as the new Chair of Ofwat, the
economic regulator for the water sector in England and Wales. Mr
Coucher will take up the post on 1 July 2022.
During the pre-appointment hearing held by Parliament’s
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) Mr Coucher
set out his four priorities for Ofwat:
- improving the environmental performance of water companies,
including addressing the issue of river water quality by reducing
reliance on the use of storm water overflows;
- making sure companies and their boards take responsibility
for ensuring they have sufficient financial resilience;
- ensuring a long term approach for the sector to deliver
needed infrastructure, operational performance and other
improvements to address the impacts of climate change and
urbanisation; and
- ensuring PR24 delivers for customers, water companies,
communities, the environment and investors.
Incoming Ofwat Chair Iain Coucher said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Chair of
Ofwat. Ofwat plays a critical role in ensuring that the
industry delivers for customers and communities. The
fundamentals have not changed: customers want high quality,
reliable and resilient water and waste management services at an
affordable price; communities expect water companies to minimise
the impact their operations have on the environment.
"I have always enjoyed working in sectors that deliver societal
benefit and I am passionate about the environment. I am
looking forward to working with the other members of the Board
and the executive team at Ofwat, the water companies and all
stakeholders, to ensure we have a water industry in England and
Wales of which we can be proud.”
Outgoing Chair Jonson Cox has been at Ofwat for ten years,
overseeing improvements to the financial resilience of the
sector, water company governance, leakage, help for vulnerable
customers, transparency and more.
Jonson Cox added:
"The water industry is hugely important to customers, society and
the public good. Over the past decade we have made good progress
in holding companies to account, and driving improvement in water
companies on performance, financial resilience and culture. There
is of course more to do, most particularly on rivers. As I
leave Ofwat, I do so with a real sense of hope of what this
sector can deliver for customers, communities, and the
environment. With Iain's appointment, and the appointment of
as permanent CEO, I am happy to
see that Ofwat will be in good hands."
//ENDS//
Notes to editors
