Veteran City of London investment banker Rosamund Blomfield-Smith has been appointed to the £39,000-a-year role as chair of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.
Her appointment - and also that of Utility Regulator board member Isolde Goggin - were confirmed by finance minister Caoimhe Archibald, and both will serve seven-year terms.
Ms Blomfield-Smith (75) spent 30 years in the City, latterly as a director of both Rothschilds and ING Barings, and she has served on many boards, including Thames Water and Hartpury Agricultural College and is currently chairman of Museum of London Archaeology, a member of Ofgem’s Challenge Group, and a trustee of the Jo Cox Foundation.
Her other board roles have included the National Rivers Authority (predecessor body to the Environment Agency), Natural England (where she served on the main board and also chaired the government’s Landscape Advisory Panel), and the Museum of London Archaeology.
She and her husband rear traditional breeds on their 386-acre farm in Herefordshire.
Ms Goggin (65), who as a board member will be paid £11,500 a year, has more than 20 years’ experience working at the highest level in telecommunications regulation, competition policy and consumer protection.
She was executive chair of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from 2014 to 2021 and, prior to that, chaired one of its predecessor organisations, the Competition Authority.
An engineer by profession, she is currently president of the International Institute of Communications (IIC) and also a member of the board of Trinity College Dublin, and of the consumer advisory group of the Central Bank of Ireland.
Dr Archibald said: “The Utility Regulator plays an important role in safeguarding and promoting consumer interests in relation to electricity, gas, water and sewerage in the north and I’m delighted to appoint a new chair and board member.
“Their experience will be valuable in achieving the board’s role of setting the overall strategic direction, to ensure our consumers benefit from quality and value for money services in the industries the Utility Regulator regulate on our journey to net zero.”
John French, chief executive of the Utility Regulator, also welcomed the appointments, adding: “Earlier this year, we launched our corporate strategy for 2024-2029, Protecting Consumers on the way to Net Zero.
“At this time of profound change and challenge within the energy and water sectors, we are determined to continue making a positive difference for Northern Ireland’s energy and water consumers.
“Rosamund and Isolde’s wealth of experience and knowledge will further add to our already strong board, who will play an invaluable role in helping the Utility Regulator fulfil its ambitious corporate strategy.
“I look forward to working with them and continuing to build on the strong legacy that our outgoing chair Dr Bill Emery and outgoing board member Teresa Perchard have left.
“I thank Bill and Teresa for their commitment in protecting consumers and their dedication to the regulation of Northern Ireland’s energy and water industries. The Utility Regulator has benefitted immensely from their expertise, and we wish them all the very best for the future.”