News and publications
April 09
Indepen's survey of water sector investors in England and Wales has been published. The project, led by Matthew Parr and sponsored by Water UK, ascertained the views of the investment community in order that they could inform the sector at an important stage in the 2009 Price Review process. The report follows on from a presentation of the interim results at Water UK's City Conference (February 2009).
February 09
Matt Parr presented the results of the 2009 investor survey at Water UK's City Conference. The conference was attended by over 170 investors, regulators, government representatives and water company personnel in order to debate and discuss the future finance of the industry. The presentation captured investors' views on the financial environment, major sectoral risks and the regulatory regime.
December 08
In the autumn edition of ‘Inside Track’, the Green Alliance publication, John Hargreaves seeks to demystify the energy gap, explaining why it might exist and how it might be closed. In particular, he examines what policy changes are needed to close the gap and show the commitment that provides investors with the confidence to invest in a low-carbon future.
September 08
The issue of efficiency has continued to the subject of much debate in the UK regulated infrastructure sector. In September, Matthew Parr led a seminar to explore many of these issues with the aim of promoting better regulation and sharing best practice. The seminar engaged UK economic regulators covering 12 sectors as well as recognised academic experts in the study of efficiency.
The event was unique in being sponsored by the Chief Executives of the UK economic regulators, via the Joint Regulators Group (JRG).
June 08
A Forum for Chief Executives seminar on the role of the customer in regulated services considered how well the regulators in industries that are natural monopolies – like water and rail transport – are protecting the interests of the customer compared with more competitive markets. Allan Asher, Chief Executive of energywatch, introduced his thoughts on what we have learnt from economic energy regulation. The paper upon which he based his comments is available.
April 08
Indepen has published a report for the International Telecommunications Users Group (INTUG), the European Virtual Private Network Users Association (EVUA) and BT plc entitled Productivity, Growth and Jobs: How Telecoms Regulation Can Support European Businesses. The study examines the extent to which the EU’s current telecoms regulatory framework is handicapping efforts to boost productivity and competitiveness from ICT investment because it blocks the provision of pan-European communication services to major business users.
March 08
Indepen has published the findings of its survey of investors in the water sector in England and Wales. Sponsored by Water UK, the survey's purpose was to ascertain and share the views of the investment community at an early stage in the 2009 Price Review process.
View 2008 Investor Survey - Appendix B
Feb 08
Matthew Parr presented the findings of the water sector's Investor Survey at Water UK's annual City Conference.
The findings are a result of 37 interviews undertaken by Indepen over January and February with pension funds, infrastructure funds, investors in quoted equity, bondholders, rating agencies, banks and monoline insurers. Indepen undertook a similar survey in 2005.
The Conference was attended by 150 of the industry’s leaders, regulators, government representatives and the investment community. The keynote speaker was Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Feb 08
Indepen has written, in collaboration with Accent, an article for Utility Week entitled Out of Sight. The article looks into the idiosyncrasies of the UK regulatory systems and what this means for the consumer’s perception of the various regulators.