The regulator has appointed Aileen Armstrong, who joins from the Treasury, as senior director of finance and governance; David Black, currently Ofwat’s director of economics, will take the new role of senior director of Water 2020; and John Russell, who joins from Shell, will become senior director of strategy and planning.
Black takes up post immediately and Armstrong and Russell will take up their posts in the summer.
Announcing the new senior leadership team, Ofwat chief executive Cathryn Ross said: “Ofwat has an ambitious vision for the future. We are working to build trust and confidence in water and to make sure customers’ interests are front and centre in the sector’s thinking. We have set a new strategy to help us achieve our goal, but that is just the start.
“Aileen, David and John have impressive credentials and they will strengthen our executive’s strategic leadership. Crucially, they share our culture and values, and have a clear appetite to drive us forward. I am looking forward to them joining our existing team.
“With these new appointments, we have the leadership team, the budget and the policy proposals in place to drive forward over the coming years.”
Ross announced plans last September to overhaul the regulator’s senior management team in preparation for PR19, which resulted in the loss of two roles – chief regulation officer and senior director of finance – and the creation of four new roles.
The new role of senior director for Thames Tideway was filled by Keith Mason, formerly director of finance and networks, in December last year.
The overhaul also saw the departure of former chief regulation office, Sonia Brown, the previous month.