Ofwat has announced the appointment of Richard Khaldi as Senior Director – Customers and Casework after six years at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland where he was Head of Competition overseeing the regulation and management of the Scottish non-household retail market.

Ofwat has also welcomed the appointment, by the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, of Christine Farnish as a Non-Executive Director to Ofwat’s Board.

Christine Farnish is currently Chair of Consumer Futures until the transfer of its remaining work to the Citizens Advice service in March 2014. She will join the Ofwat Board in January, following the appointment of Christopher Burchell, Martin Lawrence and Professor Catherine Waddams in May 2013.

In addition to Richard Khaldi, who starts in January, Ofwat has also appointed two other new Directors to its leadership team.

Claire Forbes has started as Director – Corporate Communications

Bev Messinger has started as Senior Director – Operations

The appointments, made by new CEO Cathryn Ross and the Board, complete Ofwat’s new Executive Team. They follow Sonia Brown’s promotion to Chief Regulation Officer in the summer. Ofwat is also currently in the process of recruiting a General Counsel.

New appointments play vital role in “rebuilding Ofwat’s capability”

Jonson Cox, Ofwat’s Chairman said:

“Customers, the industry and investors have told us that they rely on a strong, independent and robust regulator. All these appointments, executive and non-executive, together with those earlier in the year, play a vital role in rebuilding Ofwat’s capability.

Cathryn Ross, Ofwat’s Chief Executive Officer added that alongside the current price review, the Board’s priority would be to deliver a new strategy for Ofwat which ensures effective regulation in the face of future challenges.