Two new members appointed to Utility Regulator board

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has appointed two new members to the Board of the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland.

Sean Hogan and Paul Smith will each serve seven-year terms beginning on 10 August 2026. The Department of Finance said the appointments are part-time roles with annual remuneration of £12,597.68.

The Utility Regulator, formally the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, is the non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating electricity, gas, water and sewerage services. Its role is to protect the short and long-term interests of consumers.

Mr Hogan has experience in utilities, water and public sector governance. He was Chair of Northern Ireland Water from 2011 to 2015 and served on the board of Ervia, the parent company of Irish Water, Gas Networks Ireland and Aurora Telecoms, from 2015 to 2024.

He is currently Chair of WaterRegs UK Ltd and has also held senior board and chair roles across public bodies including the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, Newry and Mourne Health and Social Services Trust, and DAERA’s Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Partnership.

Mr Smith has experience in economic regulation, energy markets and consumer policy. He was Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission from 2013 to 2015, served on the board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority from 2018 to 2024, and is currently a Director at Fingleton.