We are the Independent Challenge Group for NWL and cover its two operating areas, Northumbrian Water (NW) and Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW).
We are a fiercely independent and balanced blend of industry regulators, subject experts and independent members who have wholeheartedly risen to the job at hand.
Our job isn’t to run the company or to make decisions (that’s for the Board and the Executive Leadership Team to do); it’s to champion on behalf of customers and challenge the company to understand the impact of decisions before they’re taken. Our challenges are always from a very early starting point - we challenge the company during business planning and as it delivers its plans.
The Water Forum Members
Rob has over 30 years of local government experience, notably serving as Leader of Kirklees Council (2006–2009).
He has held significant roles, including Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, Deputy Chair of the Environment Agency, and chairing various audit and regulatory boards.
James is the National Flood Specialist for the NFU, leading flood risk management and supports water resource and quality topics.
He joined the NFU in 2009 after eight years working for Defra’s science agency on both National and European projects.
His current role includes taking a strategic overview on matters relating to flood risk, ensuring policy is sustainable for everyone and rooted in the real-world.
He is passionate that businesses are given the opportunity to develop and adapt, and that policy, regulation or ambitions of others create a landscape that allows this to happen.
Karen is the Founder and Owner of Living Brands, a consultancy that helps organisations uncover the insights and strategies that enable their brands to thrive.
We support clients with a wide range of complex business challenges, designing each project bespoke to their needs and budget, and using the most appropriate methodologies. Our expertise includes:
- Desk research and data distillation
- Qualitative and quantitative research (B2C, B2B, including trialling synthetic moderators and respondents)
- Social media analysis and web analytics
- Workshop design and facilitation
Lesley is the retired Chief Executive of Citizens Advice for the Essex area, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from a career dedicated to supporting diverse communities.
Her background spans roles in benefit assessment, a local hospital information service, and an adult literacy scheme, alongside extensive experience working with volunteers.
Anna is the Deputy Director of Strategic Development and heads up our Regional Development team and together we support our fantastic network of local Rivers Trusts across England and Scotland.
Previous role was as Regional Development Manager.
Anna has worked for the Environment Agency, The Water Hub, Defra as Senior Policy Advisor Innovation Funding and Finance for Floods and Water and the Office for National Statistics.
Liane is a social sustainability and urban regeneration specialist.
Her work focuses on using design, construction, development and the operation of infrastructure and urban environments to make life better for people and communities.
She advises and collaborates with clients and organisations on infrastructure and urban projects by: thinking, writing, engaging and delivering.
Colin is a Councillor at Suffolk County Council since 2006 and was a Forest Heath District Council and then West Suffolk Council member.
He has held the roles of Leader of the County Council, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, looking at the overall £1Billion budget of the Council and how to protect front line services.
In his business life, he has 35 years knowledge in the residential development sector using vision and innovation in building homes across all tenures for a wide variety of clients.
Simon is an experienced board member, expert in governance, stakeholder relationships, skilled in articulating the impact of digital technology and infrastructure.
He is currently the Chair of the Castles & Coast Housing Association and has been on their board since 2021.
He was a Consumer Advocate for CCW and spent 15 years with BT following roles with Syntegra and ICL.
Rob is the Utilities Partnership Manager for StepChange and has over 25 years of debt management experience.
Statutory Members
The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) — the Water Watchdog — is here to make sure you get the advice and support you need.
Our team is vastly experienced in providing consumers with free advice and support on every aspect of their water and sewerage services.
We support thousands of customers with complaints they have been unable to resolve directly with their water company. We’ve secured £29 million in financial redress for consumers since 2005.
In addition, we carry out research on a wide range of water issues and publish our findings.
We also have regional committees in England, a committee in Wales and a team of Local Consumer Advocates who represent you in your area.
At the moment, the CCW is represented on the Water Forums by:
- Janine Shackleton is a Policy Manager for CCW
The EA, whose mission is to ‘work to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development’, is one of the statutory members of all water companies’ customer challenge groups (CCGs).
We use the opportunity of working with the Water Forums to review and challenge the company’s next five-year plan so that it achieves the best possible outcomes for both customers and the environment that they live and work in.
At the moment, the EA team members who work with the Water Forums are:
- Fiona Morris, Account Manager, Operations Catchment Services
- Roger Martin, Principal Account Officer (Northumbrian Water) and Account Manager (Essex & Suffolk Water)
As well as taking part in the Water Forums, the EA works day-to-day with NWG to help it protect the environment and supply water to its customers in a sustainable way. You can read more about what the EA does on the gov.uk website.
