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

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy today announced the appointment of three members to the board of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS): Jo Aston, Heather Reid and Morag Sheppard.  

Members 

Jo Aston is a Chartered Civil Engineer and an accomplished leader with a track record of delivering significant strategic and cultural chance in two major industries: water and energy. She has spent 21 years working in the water industry, and 11 years in economic regulation of both water and energy utilities. As a regulator and company director, Jo assessed risks, uncertainty and financeability when determining company allowances. She is an experienced executive director, working with company boards for 18 years. Jo is currently the chair NI Water and non-executive board member and chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee for the Executive Office for Northern Ireland. As a board member, Jo brings experience and skills to the development of strategy and policy, and provides assurance, oversight and accountability by ensuring good governance. 

Heather Reid is a meteorologist and former BBC weather forecaster. She has worked for over 30 years in the areas of public science engagement and outreach with a main focus on climate change and environmental sciences. She has extensive experience in partnership-working, especially with Education Institutions, Local Authorities, Public Bodies and Business. She is a former chair of the Institute of Physics in Scotland and is currently Convener of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and Deputy Chair of Dynamic Earth Science Centre. She received an OBE for services to physical science in 2006. 

Morag Sheppard has extensive experience of corporate governance, at senior management and board level, in the public and private sectors. She is currently a member of the board and of the Audit and Risk Committee of Environmental Standards Scotland. From 2018-2022, Morag was a member of the board of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, and latterly chair of its audit committee. Before this, from 1998-2015, Morag held a series of senior organisational governance roles in the financial sector. 

Appointments

Jo Aston and Heather Reid’s appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 11 August 2025 to 10 August 2029. 

Morag Sheppard’s appointment will be for 4 years and will run from 25 August 2025 to 24 August 2029. 

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration 

These appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £304.34 for a time commitment of 1 day per week. 

Other ministerial appointments 

Jo Aston does not hold any other public appointments made by Scottish ministers. 

Heather Reid is Convener of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, for which she receives remuneration of £228.69 per day, for a time commitment of approximately 8 days per month. She is also a member of the NatureScot board, for which she receives remuneration of £331.14 per day, for a time commitment of approximately 30 days per year. 

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.    

Jo Aston, Heather Reid and Morag Sheppard have 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