---
title: "Independent Monitor"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-068c98"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068c98"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068c98.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068c98.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-04-28"
---

# Independent Monitor

Buyer: THE WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-068c98

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068c98)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068c98.json)

## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038532-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Oct 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £10,500,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY |
| Locality | BIRMINGHAM |
| Post town | Birmingham |
| Postcode | B5 4UA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Ladywood |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | L.E.K. CONSULTING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 28 Apr 2026 at 11:44 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038532-2026
- 28 Apr 2026 at 11:23 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038509-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068c98. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068c98.json.