THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has appointed Kathleen Smith as chief executive with effect from April 2, 2012. The appointment, which is for a five-year term concludes a competitive search begun in June 2011. Mrs Smith is an appointment from within. In 2000, she joined the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which preceded URCA, as a financial analyst, and later held the position of senior case officer. In January 2011, she was appointed director of policy and tegulation. In this capacity, she has been URCA's most senior executive since August 2011, when the chief executive position became vacant. A Certified Public Accountant, Mrs Smith's professional experience includes posts in the offshore and local financial sectors, prior to her work as a regulator.