Iain Coucher set to succeed Jonson Cox as Ofwat chair

The environment secretary has announced that Iain Coucher is the government’s preferred candidate to succeed Jonson Cox as chair of Ofwat.

Subject to a pre-appointment hearing and report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee

Coucher will take up the post on 1 July 2022. Cox’s term has been extended in the meantime, to 30 June

Coucher’s previous roles include as chief executive of the Atomic Weapons Establishment and Network Rail; a non-executive director for Cadent Gas; and a board member for the Rail Safety and Standards Board.

He is currently a senior adviser at global investment fund HIG Capital, and a trustee of the British Trust for Ornithology and Earthwatch (Europe).

Coucher has not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.