At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead economic regulation strategy and influence industry developments for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, private healthcare, bonus plan, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate uniqueness and foster an inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of economic regulation and impact millions while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: 7-10+ years in economic regulation with strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
As a company operating in a highly regulated industry, maintaining trust with regulators, customers, and stakeholders is critical. We are seeking a Head of Economic Regulation to play a key part in shaping our regulatory strategy and positioning the organisation for long-term success. This role is a full-time, permanent position and can be based out of our Exeter, Bristol, or Redhill HQ. Salary will be discussed at the interview stage, depending on experience and skills.
Reporting to the Director of Economic Regulation and Chief Strategy & Regulatory Affairs Officer, this role leads on economic regulation, market reform, and price review strategy, ensuring the business is well-positioned within an evolving regulatory landscape. You will combine strategic foresight, regulatory expertise, and stakeholder leadership to influence industry developments, strengthen regulator relationships, and drive effective regulatory outcomes.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the organisation's economic regulation strategy, monitoring, interpreting and influencing trends across the water sector.
- Develop long-term approaches aligned to market reform and increasing competition.
- Lead critical elements of periodic price reviews, including the development of regulatory business plans and the design of associated incentives.
- Take ownership of charges policy and tariff strategy, including the delivery of pricing reforms.
- Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with economic regulators.
- Oversee the regulatory reporting framework and supervision arrangements, ensuring compliance with licence obligations and merger undertakings.
- Collaborate across Legal, Compliance, IT and Customer teams to ensure cohesive regulatory delivery.
- Support capability building by delivering training and developing internal expertise in economic regulation.
- Significant experience (7-10+ years) in economic regulation, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
- Proven leadership experience (minimum 3 years managing teams or strategic programmes).
- Strong track record delivering regulatory programmes, including price reviews.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-led mindset.
- Ability to translate complex regulatory frameworks into clear, actionable insight.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
- Professional qualification in Economics and/or Finance (or equivalent experience).
- Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Leadership or management qualifications.
- Experience in data analysis, investigations, or project management.
- Shaping the future of economic regulation within a critical national infrastructure sector.
- Driving innovation and change during a time of industry reform.
- Building and developing high-performing teams.
- Working at pace on complex, high-impact challenges.
- Influencing strategy at the highest levels of the organisation.
This is a unique opportunity to lead at the forefront of regulatory strategy, shaping outcomes that impact millions of customers while driving sustainable, long-term value for the business.
What's in it for you:- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays.
- Bonus Plan.
- Private Healthcare.
- Company car or cash for car allowance.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share-save scheme.
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- ... and much more!
Closing Date: 16th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Head of Economic Regulation in Exeter employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare and a generous annual leave policy. Join us in Exeter, Bristol, or Redhill, where you can make a meaningful impact in the water sector while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the South West.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Economic Regulation in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water and utilities sector, especially those who work in economic regulation. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and regulatory challenges. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their goals, like sustainability and innovation in the water sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Head of Economic Regulation role. Highlight your strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement skills, and make sure to convey your passion for driving change in the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at South West Water. Let’s make a splash together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Economic Regulation in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in economic regulation, especially within the water or utilities sector. We want to see how your skills align with our goals and values!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading teams and strategic programmes, don’t forget to include examples of your leadership experience. We love to see how you've influenced others and driven change in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Head of Economic Regulation role. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly. Ready to make a splash? Let’s do this!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Regulatory Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in economic regulation, especially within the water sector. Familiarise yourself with recent price reviews and regulatory changes. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or strategic programmes in the past. Highlight your ability to manage competing priorities and drive results under pressure. This is crucial for a role that requires strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Dive deep into South West Water's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, particularly around sustainability and innovation. This will demonstrate that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re excited about contributing to their specific vision.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their approach to market reform or how they envision the future of economic regulation. Asking thoughtful questions shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
