Ofwat to boost its Sector Performance team as it moves to ‘activist regulation’

Ofwat is to ramp up the size of its Sector Performance team as part of its move from “light touch regulation” to “activist, hands-on regulation,” chair Iain Coucher told stakeholders taking part in last week’s Your Water Your Say online meeting for England.

Responding to a question at the end of the session about whether Ofwat would match its enthusiasm with competence, following 35 years of regulation, Coucher shared: “We remain very concerned about the level of performance from water companies.” Ofwat had, he said, “taken a long, hard look at ourselves” and was now resolved to show a different face going forwards – one that is more activist and hands-on.

Alongside funding improvements through PR24, Coucher said Ofwat would hold water companies to account for delivery, pull in poor performers and demand turnaround programmes – with resources for the new team led by senior director for sector performance Helen Campell to be ramped up as a result.

Two Your Water Your Say meetings were co-hosted last week by Ofwat and CCW – one for England and one for Wales – for stakeholders to quiz the regulator’s top team about the draft price and service decisions for 2025-30. The sessions attracted around 800 people and were professionally managed, polite and constructive.

Coucher said he had “expected greater hostility” and that “We know there’s pent up frustration and concern and irritation.” He vowed to listen and reflect on the feedback shared by participants.