John Smith (appointed in 2005) worked for 12 years in the privatised water and rail sectors as Director of Regulation, first with Anglian Water Services Limited and then with Railtrack plc. Previously, as a member of the Government Economic Service he worked in transport, local government finance and environmental protection, and was involved in water privatisation. Currently, he works as an independent consultant; is a non executive member of the steering board of the Marine & Fisheries Agency; and is an honorary treasurer for Groundwork North London, an environmental regeneration charity.