Public appointment: Chair appointed to the board of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS)

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs today announced the appointment of Aidan O’Carroll as Chair of the board of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS)

 

Chair

Aidan O'Carroll is a Chartered Accountant and former Global Partner at EY, where he led large-scale transformation programmes with extensive international experience. Throughout his executive career, he developed significant expertise in governance, organisational change and people leadership. Aidan currently serves as Chair of Revenue Scotland, Scotland’s devolved tax authority, and has also held Non-Executive Director roles in the financial services sector. An experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director, he brings strong strategic leadership, governance and transformation expertise to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.

 

Appointment

This appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 3 August 2026 to 2 August 2030.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

 

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £361 per day  for a time commitment of 104 days per year.

 

Other ministerial appointments

Aidan O’Carroll is Chair of the Board of Revenue Scotland, for which he receives remuneration of £400 per day, for a time commitment of up to 4 days per month.

 

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.   

Aidan O’Carroll has had 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.