Ofwat Chair reappointed
Iain Coucher confirmed for a second term
A reappointment has been made to the Board of the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat).
Iain Coucher has been reappointed as Chair for a second term, commencing on 1 October 2026. The appointment will run until the new integrated water regulator is established, and no later than 30 June 2029.
More widely, this government is bringing tougher regulation, stronger enforcement, greater public control and accountability into the water sector, so water companies deliver for customers and the environment. The government intends to increase public control to deliver cleaner waters, fairer bills, stronger accountability, and better outcomes for customers and the environment.
Further details on the government’s approach to the water industry will be set out in the 10-year plan for Britain, to be published later this year. This will set out plans for stronger public control over essentials like water, making them work for people and places again, and will underpin the reform we will take forward through a strengthened Water Bill.
During the transition to the new integrated regulator, Ofwat will remain fully operational and retain its existing legal powers while collaborating closely with Defra and partner agencies. This ensures there is no period without a dedicated regulator in place as the water sector moves to the new system.
Biography
Ian Coucher
Iain Coucher became Chair of Ofwat on 1 July 2022. He also chairs Ofwat’s Major Projects Committee and Nominations Committee. He is a senior adviser at HIG Capital, a Trustee of the British Trust for Ornithology and a Non-Executive Director of Charge UK. He has previously held senior executive roles including Chief Executive of the Atomic Weapons Establishment and Network Rail and has served as a non-executive director of Cadent Gas plc and a Board Member of the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Further information
The Water Services Regulation Authority
The Water Services Regulation Authority, known as Ofwat, is a non-ministerial government department and the economic regulator of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales.
Ofwat is responsible for ensuring that the companies it regulates provide consumers with good-quality, efficient services at a fair price.