Ofwat appoints Gwenllian Roberts as its new Director of Wales from 1 November 2021. Gwenllian has been appointed to the role to lead Ofwat’s Welsh office alongside the delivery of the 2024 price review in Wales.
The newly created role comes at a crucial time for the water industry in Wales and provides an opportunity to build further trust and confidence with customers, stakeholders and wider society in Wales. Alongside building strong relationships and collaborating across Ofwat and partner organisations, Gwenllian will also lead delivery of Ofwat’s regulatory work in Wales, focusing on environmental issues as well as engagement on the Welsh Government’s new strategic policy statement. She will also join Ofwat’s wider leadership team.
Gwenllian was previously Chief Regional Officer for the Welsh Government in North Wales where she championed a collaborative approach to regional economic development and led on major low carbon energy investments and responding to EU Exit.
Prior to that, she was the Deputy Director Energy and Steel in Wales working across Welsh Government and closely with the UK Government, industry, regulators, and other key bodies. Gwenllian has over 20 years of experience in energy, environment, sustainable development, and regional economic development across both the private and public sectors.
Born in the north of Wales, Gwenllian is a fluent Welsh speaker and has been a vocal advocate for securing benefits to people and communities from the development of low carbon energy in Wales.
Senior Director, John Russell, announces her appointment saying: “We are thrilled for Gwenllian to join Ofwat and spearhead our work in Wales. This newly created role shows our commitment to Wales. It is vital that we continue to build strong relationships with communities and leaders to ensure Welsh legislation and policy is reflected in our regulatory approach. Gwenllian’s experience of working on environmental issues will ensure the water industry continues to make progress on such pressing issues.”
Gwenllian Roberts said: “Water is one of Wales’ most important natural assets and an integral part of our culture, heritage and national identity so I’m delighted to be joining Ofwat at such a vital time for the water industry in Wales. Improving environmental performance and ensuring customers are at the heart of the sector will be hugely important and I can’t wait to bring people together to work on these important aims.”
