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Independent Monitor

The Water Services Regulation Authority

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

28 Apr 2026 at 12:44

Award Notice
Award

28 Apr 2026 at 12:23

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Water Services Regulation Authority, known as Ofwat, has appointed L.E.K. Consulting LLP as an Independent Monitor to oversee compliance by Thames Water Utilities Limited with specific undertakings under the Water Industry Act 1991. Set in the Business Services sector covering law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security for services, this contract initially commenced on 15 October 2024 and has undergone several modifications to extend its duration to 31 August 2026. The procurement method was a direct award under extreme urgency due to unforeseeable events, which did not permit a competitive procedure. This contract covers multiple regions across the United Kingdom, including UKC, UKD, UKE, UKF, UKG, UKH, UKI, UKJ, UKK, and UKL, indicating widespread applicability within the UK.

This tender represents significant growth potential for consulting businesses specializing in compliance monitoring and advisory services related to financial resilience and investment strategies. Firms with expertise in detailed strategic discussions, financial scrutinization, and project continuity are well-positioned to compete in similar opportunities. Given the project's importance in the water industry, it offers substantial visibility and the opportunity to influence major decisions, particularly for large organizations capable of handling extensive assessment and advisory roles. As Ofwat plans to re-procure a longer-term independent monitor in mid-2026, businesses should prepare to engage in this forthcoming opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Monitor

Notice Description

An independent monitor (the Monitor) was appointed to monitor and review compliance by Thames Water Utilities Limited ("the Company") (a company regulated by Ofwat) with the conditions of the undertakings given by the Company, and accepted by Ofwat, under section 19(1)(b) of the Water Industry Act 1991. In that context, the Monitor has been monitoring and reviewing progress by the Company towards achieving the objective of the undertakings. The Monitor reports to Ofwat and makes recommendations as to any additional steps the Company should take to achieve the conditions and objectives of the undertakings. Under the terms of the undertakings, the Company agreed to pay the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Monitor. The contract end date at the time of award was 15 October 2025.

Lot Information

Lot 1

An independent monitor (the Monitor) was appointed to monitor and review compliance by Thames Water Utilities Limited ("the Company") (a company regulated by Ofwat) with the conditions of the undertakings given by the Company, and accepted by Ofwat, under section 19(1)(b) of the Water Industry Act 1991. In that context, the Monitor has been monitoring and reviewing progress by the Company towards achieving the objective of the undertakings. The Monitor reports to Ofwat and makes recommendations as to any additional steps the Company should take to achieve the conditions and objectives of the undertakings. Under the terms of the undertakings, the Company agreed to pay the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Monitor.

Options: The contract permits extensions of the term in limited circumstances. These include where an extension is required to maintain continuity of services while the appointment of a replacement independent monitor is completed and in the event that the Company refers its Final Determination to the Competition and Markets Authority (in which case the contract may be extended for the duration of that process and for a short period following its conclusion).

Procurement Information

The contract was awarded under Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, as, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by Ofwat, the time limits for the open or restricted procedures or competitive procedures with negotiation could not be complied with. Prior to making the direct award, Ofwat carried out a non-regulated competition involving seven potential suppliers. Following that process, and having regard to the urgency of appointing an independent monitor, Ofwat proceeded to negotiate directly with L.E.K. Consulting LLP and make a direct award.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068c98
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038532-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£10,500,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Oct 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The Water Services Regulation Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B5 4UA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

L.E.K. CONSULTING LLP

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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