Ex-Ofwat chief to lead regulation council

Cathryn Ross, the director of regulatory affairs at BT and former chief executive of Ofwat, has been appointed the first chair of governmental body Regulatory Horizon Council.

The newly formed group will examine changes to the UK’s regulatory system and advise government on breaking down existing barriers to innovation.

The council will be responsible for reforming regulation to encourage innovation of products, services and business models in the UK.

Ross said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the inaugural chair of the Regulatory Horizons Council. The council will play an important role in ensuring an outcome focused, and flexible regulatory system in the UK. Our aim will be to enable innovation to thrive while protecting citizens and the environment.”

The group will collaborate with businesses and academics as well as regulators to make recommendations to government.

During her tenure at Ofwat, which included the price review in 2014, Ross sought to increase both customer engagement and the focus on company outputs.

She had previously worked at the Office of Rail Regulation, the Competition Commission and Oftel, and joined BT in 2017.