60 seconds with Rosamund Blomfield-Smith

Monday 22 September 2025

Tell us about your role and your organisation

As Chair of the Utility Regulator, Northern Ireland’s economic regulator for electricity, gas and water, I am very keen to maintain a strong understanding of the consumers whose interests we serve to protect – from private households to businesses of all sizes.

The Utility Regulator is an independent, non-ministerial government department with the principal duty of promoting and protecting the interests of consumers. Our role is to ensure that Northern Ireland’s energy and water utility sectors are regulated and developed in line with ministerial policy and statutory duties.

I hope that my membership of Women in Business NI will help me connect with and increase my understanding of what matters to female energy consumers in Northern Ireland, including women who lead businesses.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far

The first 30 years of my career were spent as an international investment banker in the City of London, with a particular focus on privatisation, public/private projects, and the gas, electricity, water, construction, and transport sectors.

In more recent years, I have moved into a portfolio of non-executive director (NED) roles across private, public, and third-sector organisations. These have ranged from small start-ups in engineering and cyber security to large companies such as Thames Water, alongside public bodies and charities.

In October 2024, I was appointed as Chair of the Utility Regulator, a role I am honoured to hold.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role and why?

The ability to listen and understand people, including colleagues at all levels, is key. Alongside this, I value the skill of quickly analysing and getting to the heart of complex problems.

One of my mantras is: “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” Hard work, persistence, and resilience have served me throughout my career.

What advice do you have for women in your industry?

Hard work can achieve a great deal – and when things are going wrong, my best advice is simply to try, try, try, and try again!

I am continually impressed by the number of businesses here that are led by women, or in which women play key roles. Many are managing both a business and a household, which is no small feat. Strength of will and determination really matter.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead for your organisation?

Yes, we have a very exciting and challenging year ahead.

We are collaborating with the Department for the Economy to support Northern Ireland’s climate target of generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, while keeping costs to consumers as low as possible.
We are consulting on our proposed approach to the next water and sewerage service price control (PC28), which will address water quality, sewage treatment capacity, and support the building of thousands of new homes.
We are expanding as an organisation, undertaking a major recruitment drive to support Northern Ireland in meeting the challenges of climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, and ensuring continuity of energy and water supplies.
Personally, I look forward to chairing the Single Electricity Market Committee, which regulates the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland.

I will also be addressing delegates at Belfast Chamber’s Economic Forum in November 2025.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

Baroness Thatcher. While I do not agree with all of her policies, I identify with her achievement as a woman who reached the top job through sheer strength of will and determination – in an era when women were far from being treated as equals.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

I am a trained pianist and a great lover of classical music. While my tastes are wide-ranging, I particularly enjoy composers from the second half of the nineteenth century. Schubert is a favourite, and Chopin’s piano works are especially inspiring when I am reading or working.

How can members connect with you?

I would be delighted to hear from fellow members. Please feel free to reach out via email: secretariat@uregni.gov.uk

Monday 22 September 2025