Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 October 2025
Correspondence from the Executive Director and Interim Chief Executive of OFWAT regarding the transition to a new water regulator, 19 September 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
Ofwat's interim Chief Executive Chris Walters and Executive Director Helen Campbell introduce themselves and outline organisational changes responding to the Independent Water Commission's findings and the government's plan for a new integrated water regulator. During transition, Ofwat will maintain core functions: delivering the £104 billion PR24 investment package, progressing a £50 billion infrastructure pipeline, and monitoring company performance.
Key findings
- Ofwat has restructured senior leadership with a new interim CEO (Walters) and Executive Director for Delivery (Campbell) reporting directly to the Board, designed to enable collaboration during regulatory transition.
- The new Delivery Directorate will consolidate sector performance, major projects, and PR24 expenditure delivery into a single unit led by Campbell.
- Ofwat commits to delivering the £104 billion PR24 investment package and progressing the £50 billion pipeline of major infrastructure projects during the transition period.
- The interim leadership will oversee enforcement, casework, CMA appeals finalisation, and coordination of RAPID with partner regulators.
- Ofwat seeks regular engagement with the EFRA Committee and offers to provide updates on transition arrangements and the role of the new integrated regulator.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Chris Walters, Helen Campbell, Alistair Carmichael MP, Ofwat, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Independent Water Commission, Competition and Markets Authority
Notable line
“… we have made changes to our senior leadership structure. These changes will ensure we have the right level of collaboration …”
Key Quotes
“During this transition period, and until new arrangements are in place, Ofwat will keep working hard to support companies to improve performance and deliver maximum value for customers and the environment.”
“These changes will ensure we have the right level of collaboration, connections and alignments to enable Ofwat to deliver our core work during this period of transition.”
“We will continue to ensure the effective delivery of the £104 billion package of investment announced for the 2025-30 price review period”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗