Ofwat’s interim leadership team formally started work in their new roles at the regulator yesterday with Chris Walters as its new interim Chief Executive and Helen Campbell as the new interim Executive Director, Delivery.

Mr Walters was previously the Senior Director for the Price Review, and Ms Campbell was previously Senior Director for Sector Performance at Ofwat. The appointments were announced on 7 August following the resignation of David Black as Ofwat Chief Executive on 5 August.

Chris Walters said:

“I’m delighted and honoured to be taking on this role, and want to thank David Black for his leadership in recent years. There remains vitally important work to be done before the creation of a new regulatory body in England and regulatory regime in Wales following the government’s announcement on Ofwat’s future, and my focus is to ensure that we continue to deliver for customers and the environment in that time.”

In his role as interim Chief Executive, Mr Walters will provide leadership for the organisation, as well as leading the engagement process with the UK government, Welsh Government and stakeholders, as the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission (IWC) are taken forward. Improving effective regulation is vital for customers and the protection of the environment and is a critical part of restoring trust in the sector.

In her role as interim Executive Director for Delivery, Ms Campbell will take responsibility for ensuring the delivery of the PR24 five-year expenditure programme, progressing the £50 billion pipeline of major projects and stabilising Thames Water as quickly as possible.

Ms Campbell commented:

“The next five years will see the largest investment that the water sector has ever seen, with more than £104bn being spent by companies in England and Wales. The delivery of this ambitious programme will be challenging, but it has the opportunity to be transformational for our rivers, seas and waterways”.