Former water minister Dan Rogerson has been appointed the independent chair at Water Resources West. He will oversee the group’s work with multiple sectors and stakeholders in the next three years to ensure sustainable, resilient water supplies.
Currently chair of Wessex Water Partnership, Rogerson was previously minister for water, forestry, rural affairs and resource management at Defra between 2013-15 when he was a Liberal Democrat MP.
Rogerson said: “Never has there been a more important time to face up to the water supply challenges posed by climate change, economic growth, population increases and the pressures on our natural environment. We need to start making decisions about water efficiency, the development of new water sources and how we can better work together for a sustainable water strategy into the second half of this century and beyond.”
Elsewhere in water, Lucy Darch, chief executive of Durham-based retailer Wave Utilities, has joined the MOSL board as the associated retailer director.
Darch succeeds Andy Hughes, chief executive of Waterplus who will step down after his two-year term.
Darch’s three-year term is effective from this month following a nomination process and vote at the market operator’s general meeting last week.
She has more than 25 years’ experience in water and utilities having held senior roles at Enron Direct, uSwitch and British Gas Business.
Anne Heal, chair of the MOSL Board, said: “Lucy’s focus on customers and the customer experience will support MOSL’s strategy, as we continue to drive the best outcomes for customers. And Lucy’s experience across the wider utilities sector in building resilience and future-proofing businesses will also be critical as we continue to seek ways to strengthen the market as we transition out of Covid-19.”
Meanwhile Belinda Finch, chief information officer at Centrica, has left the energy retailer to join Three UK in the same role.
Finch joined Centrica two years ago as CIO (group functions) and chief of staff. The British Gas owner, which is currently streamlining its management teams, promoted its chief technology officer Luke Robertson to the group-wide role of CIO in the summer.
Earlier this month, Daljit Rehal, Centrica’s global digital and data services director, left the company to join HM Revenue & Customs as chief digital and information officer.