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Introducing our chair and directors
The purpose of our Board of Directors is to oversee Sydney Water's overall strategy, direction and policy. It also oversees management’s implementation. The responsibility for our day-to-day management is delegated to the Managing Director, and through the Managing Director to the Executive team and senior management, .
The Hon. Niall Blair – Non-executive Director and Chair
MOHS, BAppsSc (Hort), GAICD and Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University
Director
14 August 2024 – 30 September 2024
Chair
1 October 2024 – current
Chair of Nominations and Economic Regulation Committee
Niall is an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) specialist with more than twenty-five years’ experience across government and the private sector, specialising in risk management, food and fibre production systems, circular economy solutions and sustainability.
He is an accomplished Chair and non-executive director with demonstrated financial accountability and corporate governance experience and a strong background in workplace safety, quality and environmental management systems development and auditing.
Niall also served the people of NSW for nine years as a senior member of the NSW Parliament. During his tenure he was appointed NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Water, Forestry, Lands, Trade and Industry and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
External appointments
Niall is Chair of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust; and a non-executive director of the Cotton Regional Development Corporation, Murrumbidgee Irrigation and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
Niall previously held the position of Professor of Food Sustainability at Charles Sturt University.
Roch Cheroux – Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Managing Director
2 September 2019 – current
Member of the Safety, Culture and Remuneration, Planning and Infrastructure, and Economic Regulation Committees
Roch is a key influencer in the water industry, with experience shaping and leading public and private corporations across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
In his previous role as Chief Executive of South Australian Water Corporation (SA Water), he led the transformation of South Australia’s largest water utility, embedding changes to technology, culture and systems to improve the experience of its 1.6 million customers. Before joining SA Water, Roch was Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ for South East Asia and SUEZ-Degrémont Australia and New Zealand, Managing Director of United Utilities Asia and Pacific (TRILITY), and Chief Executive and Chairman of Tallinn Water in Estonia.
Roch holds formal qualifications in engineering and business management, and seeks to champion innovation, diversity and reconciliation in the workplace.
External appointments
Roch is active across the water industry and is currently Chair of the Water Services Association of Australia. He is also a member of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council.
Greg Couttas – Non-executive Director
BComm, FCA, MAICD
Director
17 November 2016 – current
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
Member of the Safety, Culture and Remuneration, Economic Regulation and Nominations Committees
Greg brings to the Board significant finance and risk management expertise, having served as a senior audit partner at Deloitte for 28 years until his retirement in November 2016. He held several senior management roles at Deloitte including Managing Partner for NSW from 2005 to 2008. Greg served as a member of the Deloitte Australia Board from 2005 to 2016 and was Chair of the firm’s Audit and Risk Committee for 11 years.
External appointments
Greg is Chair of Hireup Holdings Pty Ltd and a member of the Audit Committee of the Reserve Bank of Australia and on the governance board of The Salvation Army Australian Territory. Formerly, he was a non-executive Director of Virtus Health Limited, and on the Board of Victoria Power Networks Pty Ltd and SA Power Networks Pty Ltd, which were joint ventures between Cheung Kong Infrastructure and Sparke Infrastructure.
Craig Roy – Non-executive Director
MSc, MBA, FAICD
Director
1 January 2019 – current
Chair of the Planning and Infrastructure
Member of the Economic Regulation, Safety, Culture and Remuneration and Audit and Risk Committees
Craig brings to the Board extensive experience in research and commercialisation strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship across a wide range of global projects and industry sectors. He is skilled in business sustainability in complex social, stakeholder and environmental settings. As a meteorologist and oceanographer, he understands the environment and climate change and its impacts on business. Craig was Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the CSIRO from 2010 to 2018. His career includes two decades as an officer of the Royal Australian Navy.
External appointments
Craig is Chair of Australian Research Data Commons and Silex Systems Limited, and a Non-executive Director of Global Laser Enrichment LLC (a joint venture between Silex and Cameco) and Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC. Craig was formerly the Chair of Data61, Non-executive Director of the Australian National Commission of UNESCO and on the Vice Chancellor’s Industry Board member for the University of Technology Sydney.
Professor Susan Petterson – Non-executive Director
BE (Environmental) (Hons), PhD, GAICD
Director
15 February 2022 – current
Member of the Planning and Infrastructure, and Safety, Culture and Remuneration Committees
Susan brings to the Board important expertise in environmental protection and public health specifically related to water quality and sanitation. Over the last 20 years she has been a leader in the development and implementation of risk-based approaches for protection of public health both within Australia and Internationally.
External appointments
Susan is a Board member of the International Water Association (IWA) Health-Related Water Microbiology Specialist Group, a member of the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Recreational Water Quality Advisory Committee, Editor of the IWA Journal of Water and Health, and Director of Water & Health Pty Limited. She is also a member of the Australian Water Association and Academic Title Holder in the School of Medicine and Dentistry, at Griffith University.
Susan has served on the NHMRC Water Quality Advisory Committee (responsible for the revision of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines), and for the World Health Organisation (WHO) on their Guidelines Development Group relating to the 'WHO Guidelines for Sanitation and Health'.
Dr Alex Fisher - Non-executive Director
BE (Civil) - Hons 1, MBA, PhD, GAICD, MIEAust
Director
1 November 2022 – current
Member of the Planning and Infrastructure, and Safety, Culture and Remuneration Committees
Alex is an experienced organisational leader, senior executive and director with more than 30 years’ experience in diverse environments including the military, academia, utilities, government and consulting.
She has an extensive background working in government owned corporations and statutory authorities in the water sector (across the full water cycle management), including deep experience and success in driving operations, asset management, program and project management, including for delivery of major infrastructure capital works projects and programs.
External appointments
Alex has been involved in numerous industry organisations, committees and high-profile alliances in the past, including completed terms as the Deputy Chair of Dams Safety NSW, and Specialist External Director for Many Rivers Regional Housing Services (Aboriginal Corporation). She is currently operating as a Strategic Advisor for Birdon Group.
Alex is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of the Australian Institute of Engineers. She is also an active community member on patrol with Port Macquarie Surf Life Saving Club and instructing classes at Your Life Fitness Centre.