Public appointment: Interim Member appointment extended on the Water Industry Commission for Scotland Board (WICS)

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy today announced the extension to the appointment of Morag Sheppard as Interim Member of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland Board.

Member

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.

Extension

This extension will be for 3 months and will run from 15 July 2025 to 15 October 2025.

This extension is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This extension is part-time and attracts 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.

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. 

Morag Sheppard 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