Pennon Group / Sembcorp Bournemouth Water Investments merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Pennon Group plc of Sembcorp Bournemouth Water Investments Limited.

Administrative timetable

Phase 2 date Action
22 November 2015 Statutory deadline
November 2015 Publish final report
Late October 2015 Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions
Early October 2015 Consider possible remedies and response hearing(s) (if required)
September 2015 Publish provisional findings
Early September 2015 Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions required before provisional findings
August/September 2015 Main party hearing, verify information, consider provisional findings
Mid-June 2015 Publish statement of issues
June/July 2015 Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear third parties
8 June 2015 Merger reference made

Phase 2

Final report

Provisional findings

30 September 2015: The CMA has provisionally cleared the purchase of Bournemouth Water by South West Water.

Issues statement

3 July 2015: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s web pages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Responses to provisional findings

Hearing summaries

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.

Responses to issues statement

Initial submissions

The CMA’s merger inquiry is independent and welcomes submissions from all interested parties.

Inquiry group appointed

11 June 2015: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.

Simon Polito (Chair), Sarah Chambers, Jayne Scott and Andrew Popham.

Terms of reference

8 June 2015: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Pennon Group plc of Sembcorp Bournemouth Water Investments Limited for an in-depth investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 date Action
8 June 2015 Decision announced
20 May 2015 Launch of merger inquiry
22 April to 7 May 2015 Invitation to comment
17 April 2015 Initial enforcement order

Reference decision

Initial enforcement order

Amendments/consents granted:

Published 22 April 2015
Last updated 5 November 2015 + show all updates
  1. Final report published.

  2. First published.