Role Specification Form:

Role Title / Independent Memberfor Market Research – Severn Trent Water Forum
Location: / Severn Trent Centre – Coventry (but with some requirements to meet at other locations in the Severn Trent Water region)
Role:
The water industry is made up of 10 water and sewerage companies across England and Wales. They all serve a specific region and customer base meaning domestic customers do not get a choice as to who provides their water and sewerage services. Because of this the water industry regulator, Ofwat, requires each water company to have a Customer Consultation Group responsible for ensuring customer’s views are heard and considered in the development of the Companies five year plan. A report on how the company has done this is submitted toOfwat and is an important factor in the conditions they set each company and the financial outcomes it must achieve.
The Customer Consultation Group for Severn Trent Water plc is called The Water Forum. The Water Forum works with Severn Trent to secure the best possible outcome for customers and, in so doing, earn their trust in the provision of water. The Water Forum will make an important contribution to customers, the community and the environment.
The forum is an independent body with an independent chair to ensure effective challenge and to give proportionate assurance to Ofwat. The Forum members have the skills and expertise to be the voice of the customer and so provide a vital governance role.
As the next business plan is delivered over 2015-20, the Forum will work as an independent, multi-stakeholder panel, providing oversight on Severn Trent’s performance against their current business plan and providing appropriate challenge as Severn Trent start to develop its next business plan for 2020-25.
The Water Forum has representatives from Natural England, CBI, CCWater, Environment Agency, NFU and East Midlands Council. There is a requirement for the forum to recruit some specialists as independent members of the Water Forum as we address the following challenges:
  • Ensure all Severn Trent’s developments are Environmentally responsible
  • Challenge what infrastructure upgrades require priority
  • Prioritise which developments are required now and which to leave for future generations
  • Protection of Severn Trent’s vulnerable customers ensuring best provision of water

Key requirements:
  • Work with the Water Forum Chair and other members to represent Customers interests
  • Challenge Severn Trent on the design of the proposed customer research programme and the interpretation of the research results
  • Formulate independent strategic views and offer effective challenge to Severn Trent
  • Work with Severn Trent on specific areas in between meetings to ensure efficient use of Forum time at meetings
  • Use and analyse data so that the Water Forum helps to improve performance and understand commercial context
  • Provide expert view in specialist area (customer research/capital appraisal & investment/Environment/Community) to challenge and continually develop the business
  • Build effective relationships with Severn Trent and other Forum members
  • Acquire an in depth understanding of the current company approach and how this will shape the next business plan for 2020-25
  • Contribute to the Forum report on the Severn Trent 2020-25 business plan that will be submitted to Ofwat in September 2018

Experience and Capabilities:
In order to succeed in this role you will need:
Essential:
  • A senior strategic market research professional with experience across qualitative, deliberative and quantative research
  • Proven ability to build relationships, negotiate and build consensus from competing interests.
  • Commercial understanding and an ability to provide advice based on an independent view
  • Ability to provide objective, impartial and robust challenge and advice to stakeholders,
  • Agility in assimilating new and potentially complex issues at speed
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
Desirable
  • Awareness of consumer, regulatory and water industry issues
  • Regional knowledge, with a good understanding of the issues affecting Severn Trent Water’s stakeholders.
Water Industry knowledge & experience is not a pre-requisite for these role
Time Commitment

The Water Forum meets quarterly throughout the year and members are required to attend all meetings. In total there is an expected time commitment of up to 20 days per year to include meetings, meeting preparation and any additional input required in between meetings.

Draft Water Forum member May 2016