A reappointment has been made to the Board of the Water Services
Regulation Authority (Ofwat).
Iain Coucher has been reappointed as Chair for a second term,
commencing on 1 October 2026. The appointment will run until the
new integrated water regulator is established, and no later than
30 June 2029.
More widely, this government is bringing tougher regulation,
stronger enforcement, greater public control and accountability
into the water sector, so water companies deliver for customers
and the environment. The government intends to increase public
control to deliver cleaner waters, fairer bills, stronger
accountability, and better outcomes for customers and the
environment.
Further details on the government's approach to the water
industry will be set out in the 10-year plan for Britain, to be
published later this year. This will set out plans for stronger
public control over essentials like water, making them work for
people and places again, and will underpin the reform we will
take forward through a strengthened Water Bill.
During the transition to the new integrated regulator, Ofwat will
remain fully operational and retain its existing legal powers
while collaborating closely with Defra and partner
agencies. This ensures there is no period without a
dedicated regulator in place as the water sector moves to the new
system.
Ian Coucher
Iain Coucher became Chair of Ofwat on 1 July 2022. He also chairs
Ofwat's Major Projects Committee and Nominations Committee. He is
a senior adviser at HIG Capital, a Trustee of the British Trust
for Ornithology and a Non-Executive Director of Charge UK. He has
previously held senior executive roles including Chief Executive
of the Atomic Weapons Establishment and Network Rail and has
served as a non-executive director of Cadent Gas plc and a Board
Member of the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Further informationThe Water Services
Regulation Authority
The Water Services Regulation Authority, known as Ofwat, is a
non-ministerial government department and the economic regulator
of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales.
Ofwat is responsible for ensuring that the companies it regulates
provide consumers with good-quality, efficient services at a fair
price.
