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Ofwat and Market Operating Services Limited (MOSL) have taken control of the programme to open up the non-domestic water market to retail competition.
The regulator and the private company set up by Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, and United Utilities have assumed responsibility for the programme from the start of this month after Open Water, the body originally created to oversee the programme, was wound up at the end of May.
Ofwat has taken responsibility of programme management coordination and engagement; customer engagement; and the creation of an interim codes panel.
MOSL has assumed responsibility for finalising and base-lining the market documents; to procure, build and test the market IT systems; and to establish market readiness and company engagement.
The winding down of Open Water follows an overhaul of the market opening programme by Ofwat after the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) vetoed plans for it to oversee the process.
Adam Cooper was appointed as the new director for market opening, and he will report directly to Ofwat chief executive Cathryn Ross.
As MOSL expands its remit, it has named former Open Water chairman Peter Bucks as a new interim director. United Utilities’ Janice Smethurst, who is currently working for MOSL, said the appointment of Bucks “is a positive step” and “brings continuity to the transition phase”.
MOSL will name a permanent board by the end of July, and this new board will name the preferred bidder for the IT system from five shortlisted applicants.
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