Chair - Office of the Water Services Regulation Authority
- Body
- Office of the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
- Appointing Department
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Sector
- Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Location
- Birmingham/London
- Skills required
- Business / Commercial, Major Projects, Regulation
- Number of Vacancies
- 1
- Remuneration
- £120k per annum
- Time Requirements
- 3 days per week
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
13/10/2021
-
Closed for Applications
12/11/2021 at 12:00
-
Panel Sift
26/11/2021
-
Final Interview Date
13/01/2022
-
Announcement
01/07/2022 at 12:00
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
The Environment Secretary has selected Iain Coucher as the Government’s preferred candidate to succeed Jonson Cox as the Chair of Ofwat. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr Coucher has not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.
Subject to the ESC’s report and the final decision being made by the Secretary of State, Mr Coucher will take up the post on 1 July 2022. Mr Cox has agreed with the Environment Secretary to extend his tenure as Chair of Ofwat to 30 June 2022
Date: 08/04/2022
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- David Hill
- Added
- 13/10/2021
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Defra, Director General Environment Rural and Marine Departmental Official
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Delroy Beverley
- Added
- 13/10/2021
- Positions
- British Library Trustee Senior Independent Panel Member
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Gian Marco Curado
- Added
- 13/10/2021
- Positions
- Director for Marine and Environment - Welsh Government Other Panel Member
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Christine Farnish
- Added
- 13/10/2021
- Positions
- Former Ofwat Non-Executive Director Other Panel Member
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
Vacancy Description
Office of the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is led by a Board of directors which includes the Chair, generally up to six Non-Executive Directors and four Executive Directors, including the Chief Executive.
The Chair will be expected to:
Act as an ambassador for Ofwat with respect to its various stakeholders, including water companies and investors, customer and environmental groups, complementing and not duplicating the role of the Chief Executive and executive team;
Ensure Ofwat is fully equipped to address the complex stakeholder environment and inter-related systems within which it sits, including to manage alignment of investor and consumer interests, and of national and regional/local perspectives;
Ensure Board members proactively engage in succession planning and the identification of potential candidates for future senior leadership and Board appointments, considering gaps in skills and experience;
Ensure open, inclusive and effective discussion and decision-making, including by ensuring executive and non-executive voices are effectively heard and balanced and providing effective support, challenge and mentorship;
Lead an effective Board and support the Chief Executive in delivering Ofwat’s strategy and effectively discharging its statutory responsibilities, taking account of the strategic priorities of the UK and Welsh governments;
Represent Ofwat and act as the primary contact for the Board with the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers, raising issues as appropriate and ensuring that other Board members are kept aware of such communications, and be responsible to UK and Welsh Ministers for the achievement of objectives covering the overall leadership, direction and effectiveness of Ofwat;
Lead the Board in a manner which demands and delivers transformational performance, representing consumers and the communities the sector serves.
Uphold Ofwat’s strong reputation as an impartial, independent and evidence-based regulator, exercising sound judgement
Person Specification
Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the following essential criteria:
A strategic and creative thinker with an ability to lead a knowledgeable board and executive, bring constructive challenge and create consensus to deliver practical and impartial solutions to a range of complex issues;
Understand the principles of economic regulation and competition between privatised utilities, and a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by regulators;
Significant business acumen with an understanding of the financial and corporate world in which in which privatised utilities operate and the judgement and strength of character to be able to hold companies to account;
The ability to represent Ofwat at all levels and to engage and influence a wide range of senior stakeholders within the industry, Whitehall and Wales;
An awareness and understanding of the issues impacting on customers, particularly those that are vulnerable, coupled with a clear grasp of the environmental issues, including in relation to decarbonisation and climate impacts, in ensuring a safe, affordable and resilient water supply now and for future generations.
Additional Information
We actively encourage applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Defra is a Disability Confident employer.
How to Apply
All candidates are required to complete the following forms:
Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of Interest conduct and advertising form)
Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)
Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability.
The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please).
Your CV and statement should be returned to the following address by the closing date:12.00 (midday) on Wednesday 10th November. Email to publicappts@defra.gov.uk quoting reference APPT 02-21.
For further information about the role please email: nick.jenkins@defra.gov.uk