O’Dowd appoints members to the Board of the Utility Regulator

1.The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (the Utility Regulator) is the non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the electricity and gas industries and water and sewerage services to protect the short and long-term interests of consumers.

2. The appointments were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Norther Ireland’s Code of Practice. They are part time roles attracting an annual remuneration of £12,597.68.

3. Mr Paul McGowan worked with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) for 23 years, until 2023. Paul was appointed Commissioner in 2013 and was also appointed as Chairperson for three years commencing in 2018. Throughout this time, he held a range of roles across electricity and gas market regulation, and the regulation of the water sector, in Ireland. Paul also oversaw, as both a Director and a Commissioner, the CRU’s extensive responsibilities in the regulation of gas and electricity safety. Paul was Joint Project Director for the original Single Electricity Market (SEM), in collaboration with the Utility Regulator and, as Commissioner, was a member of the SEM Committee. Paul also chaired the Water Advisory Body in Ireland between 2018 and 2023. Paul is a Chartered Surveyor by profession and holds a doctorate in engineering/construction management from The University of Dundee.

4. Mr Anthony Pygram has 20 years’ experience in regulation, covering competition, energy, water, payment systems, accountancy and legal services. He spent nine years at the GB energy regulator Ofgem, latterly as Director of Conduct and Enforcement. He has also worked in senior roles at the Competition Commission (now part of the Competition and Markets Authority) and the Payment Systems Regulator. As a non-executive, Anthony chairs a committee making recommendations on proposed changes to codes governing the operation of the non-household water market for England and Wales. He is a member of the Committee on Fuel Poverty and the Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel. In addition, Anthony oversees the regulation of two professions, as a member of the Regulatory Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and as Lay Vice President on the Board of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Both Mr McGowan and Mr Pygram have declared that they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

6. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Finance Press Office on Tel: 028 9081 6724 or email dof.pressoffice@finance-ni.gov.uk.

7. To keep up to date with news from the Department you can follow us on the following social media channels:

X - @dptfinance
Facebook - @dptfinance
Instagram - @department_of_finance
LinkedIn - Department of Finance
Bluesky - @finance-ni

8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.