Chris Offer

Chris has more than 25 years of working in regulated utility sectors. In his current role he has oversight of the long term strategy of the business and all matters relating to regulation. This includes over-seeing the regulatory Price Review and how these fit into the long-term business plan and strategy for the business. Oversight of the strategy includes considering long-term factors such as climate change, global megatrends, the political landscape, and social, economic, and technological trends, as well the role of innovation and markets in promoting and achieving better outcomes.

Chris joined Southern Water in January 2024, having previously spent time with Yorkshire Water, RAPID (Ofwat), and Affinity Water.

At Yorkshire Water he was responsible for regulatory strategy and business planning, working with colleagues across Regulation, Asset Strategy & Policy, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs to ensure the business developed regulatory plans that responded to future challenges. Critical to the role was collaboration with stakeholders to influence and shape regulatory policy and provide support to the wider operational business.

He was a Board member of Living With Water, a partnership between Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency and the University of Hull – all of which play a role in managing water in Hull and the East Riding. He was also the Chair of the Yorkshire Water Competition and Markets Committee and Deputy Chair of the Net Zero Committee.

His experience includes commercial, economic, and financial modelling, business change and transformation, cost-benefit analysis, regulatory reporting and compliance as well as asset management and investment planning.  He started his career as an economist working for Ofgem, followed by several years as a consultant for Mott MacDonald Water Utilities division.