Job Info
- Job Identification: 2992
- Locations: United Kingdom
- Public Body: Scottish Water
- Number of Openings: 1
- Apply Before: 01/13/2026, 01:00 PM
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy is seeking to appoint a non-executive member to the Scottish Water board.
Please note we are working with the search agency FWB to promote this role widely. FWB will highlight information on the role to prospective applicants, and direct them to the apply at the Scottish Government jobs site. FWB’s involvement is limited to outreach; all final decisions on shortlisting and interviews will be made by the selection panel and Scottish ministers.
SCOTTISH WATER
Scottish Water is a public corporation accountable to the Scottish Government for delivering water and sewerage services to over 2.67 million households and more than 160,000 businesses across Scotland. As the UK’s fourth largest provider, it generates annual revenues of more than £2 billion. Its retail subsidiary, Business Stream, operates in the competitive non-household market in Scotland and England.
THE BOARD
Board members play a vital role in setting strategic direction, ensuring Scottish Water meets its statutory duties and Government requirements. This includes overseeing performance beyond regulatory expectations and holding the Executive team to account, while reporting to the Scottish Government and Parliament.
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), the independent economic regulator, has set challenging financial limits for the 2021–27 period. Scottish Water must deliver Ministerial Objectives within these constraints, including progress toward net zero emissions by 2040. The Commission also introduced a new regulatory approach based on ethical business practices, reshaping expectations around stakeholder and customer engagement.
To meet these demands, Scottish Water is evolving how it works with communities and stakeholders, taking greater ownership of its strategy and delivery. This transformation requires board members who can support and challenge the organisation to achieve ambitious outcomes in a dynamic and accountable environment.
ROLE CRITERIA
Applications are sought from those who meet the following priority criterion:
- Experience overseeing infrastructure and/or investment.
And all of the following essential criteria:
- Financial acumen;
- Good governance and sound decision-making;
- Influence and challenge;
- Stakeholder and customer focus;
- Environmental acumen.
More information on the criteria for appointment is available in the applicant information pack.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this role, follow these instructions:
- Download and save the applicant information pack to refer to.
- Read the ‘person specification’ and ‘how to apply’ section in the pack, and write a supporting statement and career history, noting the word limits.
- Save a copy of your supporting statement and history to your device as one PDF.
- Navigate back to this job advert and click ‘apply’.
- Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.
- Attach your PDF and submit your application by 12pm, Tuesday 13 January 2026.
- PLEASE NOTE you do not have the option to edit your application once you click ‘submit’. You must have all your information and attachments to hand before submitting your application.
Late applications, and those without a supporting statement or 2-page CV, cannot be considered by the panel.
REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT
These positions attract a remuneration rate of £21,840.00 per annum, plus reasonable expenses. The time commitment is an average of 4 days per month. Appointment will be for 4 years.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Scottish ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments.
Scottish ministers particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as women, disabled people, those from minority ethnic communities, and people aged under 50. The public appointments process promotes, demonstrates and upholds equality of opportunity for all applicants.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Find out more about public appointments here: Public appointments.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments Team by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.
ABOUT US
Public appointments are made by Scottish ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here: Public appointments | Ethical Standards Commissioner.
