Utility Regulators: Catalysts or barriers to achieving growth?
20 May 2025
Utility Week Keynote Stage
What does the role of a utilities regulator look like in 2025? This is the question being posed by several ongoing reviews but it is already clear that there will be a greater expectation of regulators to stimulate growth. This panel will discuss how this strategic priority fits with the equally important requirements to deliver net zero, protect the environment and customers. To drive the energy transition and enable water network to address issues in a low carbon way, regulators must evolve their frameworks to align incentives, unlock critical investments, and ensure long-term service resilience, all while safeguarding consumer affordability and reliability. This session invites key regulators to discuss pressing questions, including:
- How are regulatory approaches evolving to secure necessary investment levels and foster confidence among private investors?
- What strategies are in place to address the increasing pressures of long-term planning, policy coherence, and generational infrastructure investment?
- How can planning and permitting be more efficient while still protecting nature and ecology?
- How are you empowering the industry to lead on innovation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation while offering long-term regulatory certainty?
- What role do regulators play in addressing the industry's public perception challenges and enhancing public trust in utility services?
Chair introduction
James Wallin, Editor - Utility Week
Panel
Mark McAllister, Chair - Ofgem
Jo Nettleton, Chief Regulator - Environment Agency
Iain Coucher, Chair - Ofwat
Chairperson
