Speech by David Black, UKRN CEO delivered at the UKRN 2025 Conference (May 2025)

Speaker: David Black, CEO of UKRN and Ofwat

Event: UKRN Conference 2025

Delivered: 21st May 2025

Note for Publication: This published speech has been edited from the original delivered version.

Speech:

Good afternoon everyone. Hello and a very warm welcome to the UKRN Conference 2025. It’s a real pleasure to be here with you, and an honour to open today’s event.

Thank you all for coming — whether you’ve travelled from across the country or just from down the road. It’s fantastic to see such a strong turnout.
I know many of you well, and it’s always good to reconnect. But I’m also delighted to see so many new faces. This mix of experience and fresh perspective is what makes our UKRN community so dynamic.

For those of you I haven’t met yet, I’m David Black. I serve as Chief Executive of Ofwat, and since September 2024, I’ve also had the privilege of taking on the role of CEO of UKRN.

Before we get into today’s programme, I want to say a big thank you to the Financial Conduct Authority for kindly hosting us — and to William, who will be guiding us through the day as your compere. I know we’re in very capable hands.

Reflections and Introduction

We’ve got a packed and stimulating agenda lined up. Throughout the day, we’ll be digging into key themes that unite our work across sectors — especially around the idea of growth, which we’ve chosen as this year’s focus.

Growth as a driver, a goal, and sometimes a challenge — especially when it intersects with emerging technology, climate priorities, and consumer protection.

Before we hear from our first speakers, I’d like to offer a few reflections on my time so far with UKRN, and what I’ve seen as the real value of this unique network.

Reflections on UKRN

What’s struck me most since stepping into the CEO role is the sheer breadth of knowledge and experience that UKRN draws together — and how powerful that can be when it’s directed towards a shared goal.

Regulators are sometimes seen as technical specialists, each focused on working at great depth in their own separate sectors, and subject to their own mandates or legislative frameworks.
But UKRN shows how much we can gain when we break out of those silos.

It’s not just about bringing regulators together — though that’s at the core of what we do.
It’s also about creating a platform where both members and non-members can come together for the common good.

Whether you’re part of the network formally or not, UKRN is about openness, learning, and collective impact that goes beyond what we can all achieve individually.

We’re tackling system-wide issues — and that takes broad collaboration.
We all benefit from shared insights, cross-sector coordination, and hearing from outside our immediate circles.

Why UKRN Matters Now

The challenges we face — from technological disruption to the cost of living, from decarbonisation to demographic shifts — don’t respect organisational boundaries.
They cut across industries, regulators, and public expectations. And that’s exactly why UKRN’s role matters.

I’ve also seen first-hand the impact of our work in building capability, strengthening data sharing, and promoting good regulatory practice.
We’re not just talking about collaboration — we’re investing in it. For example, we have recently set up a Growth Working Group, to foster a dialogue between central government and the entire regulatory community (not just UKRN). We’re also working to strengthen our links with investors, through our very successful recent joint roundtable with the GIIA. And we’re supporting one another to build better outcomes, together.

The Value of Independent Regulation

All of this depends on something fundamental: strong, independent, and effective regulation.

When done well, regulation creates the conditions for innovation, for fair competition, and for long-term value.
It gives businesses the confidence to invest.
It gives consumers the confidence to trust.
And it gives governments the confidence that essential services are being delivered with integrity and accountability.

Independence doesn’t mean isolation — in fact, quite the opposite. Effective regulators are connected, informed, and engaged — and UKRN plays a key role in supporting that.

Facing Today’s Landscape

Of course, the wider political and public environment is complex right now. Scrutiny of regulators has never been higher. And that’s a good thing — because accountability is part of our purpose.
But it also means we need to be clear about the value we bring.

At UKRN, we’re helping make that case — by showing how regulators contribute not just to stability, but to progress.

We are here to support government in delivering its priorities.

We’re here to enable industry to thrive.

And crucially, we are here to protect consumers — particularly those in vulnerable circumstances —
by making sure the systems they rely on are fair, resilient, and responsive.

Looking Ahead

This conference is a great example of what happens when we come together with shared ambition. Over the course of today, you’ll hear about the work happening at the intersections — where regulation meets technology, meets climate, meets consumer expectations.

You’ll hear new perspectives and practical insights. And I hope, as always, you’ll take away ideas you can apply in your own organisation.

Closing

So thank you again for being here — and for being part of this network. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and I’m even more excited about what’s ahead.

Let’s get started.

To read other featured speeches at the #UKRN25 Conference, please click on the links below: