Robert Light has been appointed as the new chair of the water watchdog and high on his agenda will be ensuring consumers’ views shape the decisions of water companies, regulators and policy makers.
Tory-leader hopeful and environment minister Michael Gove and Welsh minister for environment, energy and rural affairs Lesley Griffiths have today (14 June) confirmed Light as the new chair of the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater).
Light said he is keen to see a “more resilient” water sector that reflects people’s growing concern for the environment.
The former Environment Agency board member succeeds Alan Lovell, whose term as chair of the independent water consumer body for England and Wales came to an end on 31 March.
CCWater’s South East chair Tony Redmond has been acting as interim chair since then.
Light has championed the interests of consumers as the organisation’s Northern chair for the past four years.
He said: “It’s a great privilege to represent water consumers at a time when the industry is facing unprecedented scrutiny. Trust in companies will seep away unless they can convince customers they are motivated by the same things they value.
“People have never been more concerned about the future of our environment and need to know companies can be trusted to look after the water resources our lives depend on. They also want to see a more compassionate side to the industry that goes the extra mile to help the most vulnerable customers. My aim will be to ensure that everyone realises that the voice of CCWater is the voice of water customers and that it must be listened to.”
Light has previously been deputy chair of the Local Government Association and was on the board of the Audit Commission.
Tony Smith, chief executive of CCWater added: “Rob has been an outstanding advocate for consumers in the North of England and I expect him to build on that good work as our new chair.
“His and our immediate task is to make sure we secure the best possible deal for customers as the price review nears its conclusion. The foundations are in place – now it’s time to finish the job.”
Light was a Conservative Councillor on Kirklees Council for 26 years until he retired in November 2018.
His appointment as CCWater chair took effect from 6 June and will be for a period of three years until 5 June 2022.
He is also head commissioner for the independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise.
Light becomes the third chair of CCWater. Lovell, who was appointed chair of CCWater on 1 April 2015, succeeded Dame Yve Buckland who had been at the helm since CCWater was established to represent the interests of water and sewerage customers in October 2005.
In September last year, CCWater published new guidance for the sector which suggested “collaboration, communication and consistency” are three key ways water companies can improve how they deliver priority support to consumers in vulnerable circumstances.