Companies are also set to see the introduction of retail competition and the adoption of private sewers and pumping stations alongside a focus on energy efficiency and carbon neutral operation. At the same time they are coming to terms with increased regulation, changing ownership structures, the impacts of the recession and the cost of financing investment.

All this is in addition to the ‘business as usual’ challenges the industry is facing, including the ongoing drive to improve the asset infrastructure, drive operational efficiency, deliver shareholder returns and meet increasingly demanding customer service levels as well as manage the effects of climate change and potential water shortages.

The water industry is seeking more assured and innovative ways of meeting these complex demands.

Baringa Partners is using its breadth and depth of experience from across the utilities sector to help water companies define, develop and deliver sustainable responses to the challenges the industry faces. It also has a considerable track record within the utilities sector in areas such as improving customer services, operations, IT and support functions.

Recent engagements for water companies include programme management responsibility for the Ofwat price review (PR09), design and delivery of an entire business target operating model and development of metering strategy and roadmap. In addition, Baringa Partners has worked with clients to create and govern operational efficiency initiatives, deliver output-led business planning, embed robust asset management processes and prepare organisations for securing the best possible outcome from PR14.

Baringa Partners has also been responsible for delivering significant efficiency gains and major improvements in work and workforce management, including wholesale change of field force working patterns and support with the implementation of new processes and organisational change.

Baringa Partners is well equipped to provide support to water companies in the following areas:

• Target operating model design, implementation planning, leadership alignment and delivery
• Customer service transformation, including preparation for Retail competition and delivering on the increased focuson SIM
• Programme support and advisory services on regulator interaction and delivery of business plan submission
• Asset management and investment strategy
• Field productivity improvement
• Programme definition, impact assessment and implementation support for business transformation and targeted initiatives such as the adoption of private sewers and pumping stations
• Metering strategy and options analysis including smart metering trials and technology roadmap development
• IT strategy, IT effectiveness and IT programme delivery