Environment secretary Owen Paterson has announced two new appointments to the Board of the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater).

Julie Hill and Philip Johnson have been appointed from 1 February 2014 for four years as Independent non-executive members and will play a key role on the National Board of the Consumer Council for Water for England and Wales.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of CCWater, welcomed the appointments, and said: “I am delighted that Julie Hill and Philip Johnson are joining us.”

“They both bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their respective fields which will add great value to CCWater’s work on behalf of consumers at a crucial time for the industry, as we move towards bill prices being set for the next five years.”

CCWater was set up to represent the interests of water and sewerage customers in England and Wales by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Welsh Government in October 2005.

The watchdog has gone on to help more than 300,000 customers with complaints or enquiries about water and sewerage services, and gained over £1billion from water companies in reduced prices and extra investments.

These appointments were made in accordance with the code laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments to provide an efficient and transparent appointments system in which both candidates and the public can have confidence.

Neither appointee has declared any political affiliations.

Biographical details

Julie Hill has worked on environmental policy for over 25 years and her areas of expertise include waste and resources policy, sustainable buildings and biotechnology. Julie is presently chair of the Circular Economy Task Force, which was launched by Green Alliance – one of the UK’s foremost environmental policy organisations – in July 2012. She is also an Associate of Green Alliance, having been a former Director, and has recently completed terms as Non-Executive Director of both The Eden Project and the Environment Agency for England and Wales. Her book ‘The Secret Life of Stuff’ was published by Vintage Books in January 2011.  She is also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Surrey’s Centre for Environmental Strategy and was awarded an MBE in 2001.

Philip Johnson (CEng) is an Executive Director and Board Level Engineer who has led several high profile electricity generation/supply companies and energy technology businesses. He is currently an Associate of Pöyry Management Consulting (UK) Ltd and Director at Delta Carbon Advisers Ltd. Philip has a wealth of experience and skills in utilities, infrastructure and customer supplies in the UK, Ireland and overseas. His senior leadership roles include ten years at National Power, becoming Managing Director of Innogy (RWE Innogy), and six years with the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland. He has also worked as a project manager at OFGEM and Department of Trade and Industry and was Senior Vice President of Ocean Power Corporation in the USA.