Defra confirms Iain Coucher as new Ofwat chair

Defra has confirmed Iain Coucher will take up the post of Ofwat chair on 1 July.

The environment secretary approved the appointment, for a four year term, following Coucher’s endorsement by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

Ofwat noted that during the pre-appointment hearing held by the EFRA committee, Coucher set out his four priorities for Ofwat as:

• 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.

Outgoing chair of ten years, Jonson Cox commented: "With Iain's appointment, and the appointment of David Black as permanent chief executive officer, I am happy to see that Ofwat will be in good hands."