Recruitment underway for permanent Ofwat chief

Ofwat is now formally recruiting for a permanent chief executive.

The watchdog has engaged executive and board recruitment specialist Saxton Bampfylde to manage the process, which will run through February and March.

The appointment panel which will interview final shortlisted candidates in mid-late March comprises:

• Jonson Cox CBE – chair of Ofwat

• Sarah Pittam – Civil Service commissioner and chair of the appointment panel

• Alison Munro – Ofwat board member

• David Hill, director general at the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs.

The remuneration range for the role is £145,000-£163,900.

David Black, formerly chief regulation officer and PR19 lead, has served as interim chief executive since April 2021, following the departure of Rachel Fletcher.