Irishwoman Regina Finn, currently working as an energy regulator, has been appointed to oversee the English and Welsh water industries which together have 53 million customers.
The job, which commands a basic salary of €175,000 (£120,000) per annum, will make Ms Finn one of the most powerful regulators in UK business. Most of the English and Welsh water companies are privatised.
At present, Ms Finn works as a commissioner at the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is led by Tom Reeves. Ms Finn only took up her position with the CER in February 2005.
Previously, Ms Finn was director general of Utility Regulation in Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
This involved regulating its electricity market, as well as the telecommunications and postal markets. Before that she was deputy director and head of market operations with ComReg in Dublin.
Before that, Ms Finn worked in various government departments, including the Department Communications and the Department of Health. Ms Finn is believed to be taking up her post in early October. She will also sit on the board of the regulator, known as Ofwat.
She will work closely with Ofwat's chairman Philip Fletcher. The office of the regulator are based in Birmingham.
The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. Its duties include protecting the interests of consumers by promoting effective competition.
Ms Finn holds a qualification in financial information systems from Trinity College, Dublin.
Irish executives and public servants have taken up several high profile positions in the UK in recent years. Willie Walsh, formerly of Aer Lingus, is now chief executive of British Airways and Dr John Fingelton, former director of the Competition Authority, is now chief executive of the British equivalent, the Office of Fair Trading.
Ofwat is regarded as a tough regulator in the UK, often fining water companies significant sums because of bad service to consumers.
Some parts of England are currently suffering from a water drought and hose pipe bans are in place. Ofwat is involved in trying to address this situation.
The water and sewerage infrastructure in the UK also needs considerable capital investment and Ofwat has been at the forefront of pushing for investments to be made.
Thames Water recently had to agree to invest £150 million in its network following pressure from Ofwat.
The average UK water and sewerge bill stands at an average of £294 per year. This is a 39 per cent increase since 1989. Of this water represents £14, while sewerage charges among to £152.
Northern Ireland and Scotland will not be part of Ms Finn's new responsibilities.
Speaking to the Irish Times yesterday, Ms Finn said she was looking forward to her new job.
