Public appointment: Interim Members appointed to Water Industry Commission for Scotland Board

The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy today announced the appointment of Ronnie Hinds and Morag Sheppard as Interim Members of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland Board.

Members

Ronnie Hinds is former Chief Executive of Fife Council and since his retirement in 2013, he has held a number of public positions, including Chair of Boundaries Scotland and lead Non-Executive Director with the Scottish Government. Ronnie was Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission for four years from October 2014 and served as acting Chair for two years until standing down in June 2019. He was also Controller of Audit from 2000 until 2002.

Morag Sheppard has extensive experience of corporate governance, at senior management and board level, in the public and private sectors. She was until 2022, a Member of the Board of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission and latterly, Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee. She previously held a series of senior organisational governance roles in the financial sector ensuring effective performance by partner organisations and the extensive management of risk.

Appointment

These appointments will be for a maximum of 12 months and will run from 15 July 2024.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £304.34 per day for a time commitment of one day per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Morag Sheppard is a Member of the Environmental Standards Scotland Board, for which she receives remuneration of £212.92 per day, for a time commitment of approximately 2 days per month, up to an annual fee cap of £10,000 for 2024/25.

Ronnie Hinds does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Ronnie Hinds and Morag Sheppard have no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) was formed on 1 July 2005 following the amendment of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 by the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005. The Commission is funded through a levy on Scottish Water and licence fees.

Statutory duties are to:

• promote the interests of Scottish Water’s customers, having regard to the interests of current and future customers
• ensure that customer charges reflect the lowest reasonable overall cost for Scottish Water to deliver the Scottish Ministers’ Objectives for the water sector
• comment on Scottish Water’s reporting of its performance, challenging Scottish Water to become more efficient and sustainable and
• facilitate the entry of retail water and sewerage providers that wish to supply non-household customers in Scotland

WICS support both the Scottish Government’s vision of ensuring that Scotland is a Hydro Nation and the jointly agreed vision for the Scottish water sector. This is that the sector will be “admired for excellence, secure a sustainable future and inspire a Hydro Nation”. In doing so they meet their obligations under the Water Resource Act 2013.

WICS is made up of around 25 people, comprising economists, strategists, analysts, communicators and support staff. The board provides leadership, direction and support to ensure that WICS delivers its functions effectively and efficiently.