The Independent Water Commission has procured two separate contracts without competition for forensic accountant services as part of its work to conduct an independent review of the UK water sector led by Sir Jon Cunliffe.
The first contract, which was signed on 23 June and covered a three day period from 24 June 2025 to 26 June 2025 with a contract value of £35,000, covered what is described as “market sensitive analysis work of water company financial figures - irregularities/fraud.”
The latest contract published on 8 August 2025 with a contract value of £39,000 was signed on 14 July 2025 and covered a seven day period from 15 July 2025 to 21 July 2025. Scope of the work is this time described as “market sensitive analysis work of water company financial figures – irregularities/fraud.- Expanded to include new companies.”
The first contract award was made after the publication on 3 June of the Independent Water Commission’s interim findings highlighting “deep-rooted, systemic and interlocking failures”.
The second contract was awarded after the publication of the Commission’s final report on 21 July calling for Ofwat, DWI plus EA and Natural England water-related functions to be replaced by a new single integrated regulator.
Both contracts were awarded to Birmingham-based firm Searca Forensic which provides expert forensic advice to law firms, forensic accounting practices and clients.
The company was established by Paul Bennett in 2024 - His business profile on the company’s website refers to his professional experience specialising in Forensic Accounting at a number of top-tier professional services firms. Most recently he served as head of the in-house Forensic Services team at the international law firm BCLP. He is described as an expert in the detailed forensic analysis, interpretation and presentation of complex financial information.
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