We are the champions: new team ready to work for water customers in western England
A NEW team of consumer advocates is ready for the challenge of championing the interests of water customers in western England.
The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has appointed four new local consumer advocates to work closely with the region’s water companies and to ensure they are acting in the best interests of water customers
Mike Bell, Mike Short, Gudrun Limbrick and Vicky O’Dea will represent customers of Bristol Water, Cholderton and District Water, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, South West Water and Wessex Water.
Bernard Crump, Acting Western Chair for CCWater, said: “Our local consumer advocates play a crucial role in holding water companies to account and making sure they deliver the services customers expect.
“They are ready for the challenge of providing a strong and effective voice for customers throughout the west of England.”
Local consumer advocates press water companies to make sure they are delivering value for money and improving their customer service by tackling the causes of customers’ complaints.
Meet the team:
Mike Bell is regional campaigns officer for the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Councillor with North Somerset Council. His other roles include independent member of Audit Committee, Weston College; member of Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, Local Government Association; former editor of Property News; former head of office/research assistant to David Heath MP, Brian Cotter MP, Graham Watson MEP; former executive member for finance and performance, North Somerset Council.
Mike Short is a retired director of engineering in the defence sector. He is an independent co-opted member of Dorset Police and Crime Panel; member of Dorset Schools Appeals Panel and lay member of the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Gudrun Limbrick is a socio-economic research specialist, consultant and business owner. She is founder and trustee of the Handsel Trust and founder of the Former Children’s Homes website. Gudrun has had work widely published on a range of socio-economic topics. Her qualifications include a Masters in Research and Social Policy from the University of Birmingham and Honours degree from the University of Oxford.
Vicky O’Dea has over 30 years’ experience in criminal justice, including governing prisons in both the public and private sector. Responsible for ten prisons/immigration removal centres, she is also a qualified social worker and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bristol. Veronica is a member of the Centre for Social Justice and schools appeal panel (BANES), as well as being a trustee of a local charity which provides accommodation for young people leaving prison.
(ENDS)