Affinity Water names new chair for Customer Scrutiny Group

Affinity Water has announced that Teresa Perchard will be chair of its Customer Scrutiny Group from 22 June, taking over from the existing chair, Robin Dahlberg.

Perchard is an experienced consumer advocate and non-executive Director, with 30 years’ experience in consumer advocacy, consumer protection and regulatory roles.

She was director of policy and advocacy at Citizens Advice for more than 13 years, until June 2013 where she headed up their national policy, campaigning and government relations on a diverse range of consumer and public policy issues.

Prior to joining Citizens Advice, she held senior policy roles with the Office of Rail Regulation, Office of Water Services and the National Consumer Council between 1986 and 2000. Her non-executive portfolio spans consumer protection, energy, regulation and financial services.

The Customer Scrutiny Group evolved from Affinity Water’s Customer Challenge Group, which was formed in July 2012 to closely monitor customer and stakeholder engagement and the development of the company’s business plan for 2015-2020.

The group is independent of the company and advises and challenges the company on how well it considers customers’ views and their priorities and how well customer risks are managed in relation to the delivery of AMP6 performance commitments.

Members comprise household and non-household customers, as well as representatives from regulators, local authorities, community and environmental groups.

Affinity Water chairman Phil Nolan said: “I would like to thank Robin Dahlberg for his commitment and professionalism in providing leadership of both the Customer Challenge and Scrutiny Groups, the involvement of which played a significant part in the development of our business plan.

“The Customer Scrutiny Group continues to scrutinise the delivery of our performance in meeting our customers’ expectations.

“We are extremely pleased that Teresa Perchard has agreed to be the new chair of this group. Her experience in leading customer protection and regulatory roles will be invaluable, and we are looking forward to working with her and with the continued assistance of the Customer Scrutiny Group.”