News

Calls for new Dŵr Cymru CEO to rule out supporting water privatisation in Wales

Published

7 months ago

September 3, 2025

THE WELSH Liberal Democrats have urged the incoming Chief Executive of Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water to give a clear commitment that he will not back any moves towards water privatisation in Wales.

Roch Cheroux, who takes up the post later this year, previously served as Managing Director of Sydney Water in Australia. His appointment has prompted questions from campaigners and political opponents about whether his views align with Dŵr Cymru’s not-for-profit model.

Concerns centre on comments Mr Cheroux made during a 2021 industry podcast in which he suggested that privatising Sydney Water would “not change very much” for households as long as regulation remained in place. Independent analysis in Australia later estimated that a sale could have added between £90 and £140 to the average household bill each year, while depriving the public purse of hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue.

***Roch Cheroux, now at Welsh Water, previously served as Managing Director of Sydney Water in Australia (Image: Sydney Morning Herald)***

During his tenure, Sydney Water became embroiled in political debate after leaked government papers showed ministers exploring “privatisation by stealth.” Critics argue that Mr Cheroux’s remarks at the time lent weight to those seeking to downplay potential risks. Others, however, point out that no actual privatisation went ahead and that he was operating within a politically charged environment rather than advocating policy himself.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats also highlight reports from Australia that Mr Cheroux’s departure from Sydney Water followed tensions with government and union criticism of management culture. They argue that his record raises questions over leadership style and suitability for a public-interest organisation.

***David Chadwick MP: Says new Welsh Water boss has a “questionable” record in Australia***

Party spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “It is vital that the incoming CEO of Dŵr Cymru categorically rules out any return to water privatisation in Wales, given his questionable record in Australia. Welsh households already face the highest water bills in the UK despite some of the lowest incomes. At the same time, Dŵr Cymru has one of the worst environmental records of any water company, with our rivers increasingly choked by raw sewage.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have linked their concerns to wider issues of governance at Dŵr Cymru. The company, which is owned by a not-for-profit membership body, paid its outgoing chief executive £892,000 in 2021 despite continuing criticism over sewage discharges and high bills. The party says it would push for stricter limits on executive pay and stronger financial regulation if elected to the Senedd next year.

Dŵr Cymru, which supplies water to around three million people across Wales and parts of England, remains one of the few major UK utilities not privately owned. Its model has long been defended as prioritising public benefit over shareholder profit. Mr Cheroux, who has also held senior water industry posts in France and South Australia, has yet to comment publicly on the calls from the Liberal Democrats.

The Welsh Government is expected to gain new regulatory powers over the water sector in the coming years, meaning the political and public scrutiny over Dŵr Cymru’s leadership and direction is likely to intensify.

News

Reform attacks Plaid on spending and immigration ahead of Senedd poll

Published

2 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Party claims Plaid’s plans would strain public finances and increase pressure on services, while rivals insist Wales needs a different approach for Wales

REFORM UK has stepped up its attack on Plaid Cymru ahead of the Senedd election, accusing the party of making unaffordable spending promises and warning that its approach to migration would place further pressure on already stretched public services.

The criticism comes as the election campaign intensifies before polling day on Thursday, May 7, with Reform seeking to draw a sharp dividing line between itself and Plaid on both the economy and immigration.

Reform candidate Llyr Powell said Plaid was offering “fantasy economics”, pointing to analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which said the party’s manifesto contained important question marks over how some of its commitments would be funded. The IFS warned that, with the Welsh budget already expected to be under strain, delivering Plaid’s plans could mean deeper cuts to unprotected services or increases in devolved taxes.

Mr Powell said: “This is exactly the kind of politics people are fed up with — big promises, no plan. The independent experts are clear: Plaid’s numbers simply do not add up.

“Families across Wales are already struggling with the cost of living. The last thing they need is a government quietly hiking taxes to cover unfunded promises.”

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas also attacked Plaid over migration, claiming the party’s stance would add to pressures on housing, schools and the NHS.

He said: “Here in Wales we have a health crisis, an education crisis and a housing crisis.

“The last thing we need is a surge in immigration adding further pressure on hospitals, schools and communities.

“Vote Reform on May 7 to stop Plaid’s immigration surge.”

Plaid Cymru, however, has presented its manifesto as a programme for “real hope for the future of Wales”, with Rhun ap Iorwerth saying the party is offering renewal, practical action and a new direction for the country.

The party’s platform focuses heavily on health, childcare, education and economic development, arguing that Wales needs new leadership, new energy and new ideas after years of Labour-led government.

On migration, the wider Welsh Government position has been that international recruitment remains necessary in some sectors. Ministers have previously said that while domestic skills investment remains vital, international recruitment is still an important part of workforce strategy in the short to medium term.

That means the issue is likely to become an increasingly prominent dividing line in the run-up to polling day, with Reform arguing for a tougher stance while Plaid and others continue to frame migration as part of a broader workforce and economic challenge facing Wales.

Community

Lauren Clewes begins trainee solicitor role at Eaton-Evans and Morris

Published

15 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire law firm confirms internal promotion after Lauren joined the business as a paralegal in 2024

LAUREN CLEWES has been promoted to trainee solicitor at Eaton-Evans and Morris Solicitors.

Lauren joined the firm in 2024 as a paralegal, working first with Helen Hodges and later with Pauline Mainwaring. Over the coming months, she will work alongside the firm’s fee earners across all departments as part of her training.

Sean Dyer, one of the firm’s directors (pictured), offered his congratulations on her promotion.