Water Weekly 3.0 Vol 14
A weekly round-up of all the latest news in the water industry.
Your go-to weekly newsletter on all things water.
As always, we are back this Thursday with the latest industry updates over the last couple of weeks.
A Dive into the Latest Leadership Shifts
UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) appoints new CEO!
The leading research organisation for the UK water industry recently announced Mike Rose as their ne Chief Executive Officer.
UKWIR Chair Richard Warneford said:
"We are delighted to be able to appoint such a high calibre individual to this position. Mike Rose's understanding and experience in multiple sectors including water, coupled with his strategic vision and proven leadership capabilities, makes him the perfect choice to lead UKWIR as we navigate the evolving landscape and strive to deliver solutions for the sector and society in general. Mike’s experience in asset management and technology, combined with his global perspective, will be invaluable as we work to address the critical challenges facing the UK water industry and ensure a sustainable future.”?
Mike Rose said:
"I am honoured to join UKWIR at this crucial time for the water industry," said Rose. "The sector is at a pivotal confluence, traditional solutions and current ways of working will not enable us to meet the challenges and opportunities we and future generations face.??
“I'm excited to be asked to take the organisation forward, shaping and delivering at pace collaborative research which unlocks new thinking, partnerships and better outcomes for our members and their customers."??
South Staffs Water appoints a new Managing Director.
Elena Karpathakis has recently been appointed Managing Director of South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water
Elena brings over two decades of leadership experience in regulated safety-critical sectors and previously served as VP - Field Services Director at British Gas .
In her new role, Karpathakis will lead efforts to implement the 2025-2030 business plan for both South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water; representing the largest investment period in the company's history. She is set to pursue her new role at the end of the month coinciding with the commencement of AMP 8.
Charley Maher Group CEO at South Staffordshire Plc said:
"The successful delivery of South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water's 2025-2030 business plan is imperative for our customers, the environment and our investor. The next five years will bring some truly exciting investment for customers, and we are excited to start putting our plans into action to secure future water supplies, alongside protecting the region’s environment and keeping our customer bills amongst the lowest in the sector. Elena’s experience and skill set mean she is ideally placed to lead South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water, and I look forward to the future success ahead."
Ecolab welcomes a new face to its Board of Directors.
Ecolab has appointed Michel Doukeris to its Board of Directors; currently Chief Executive Officer of 安海斯 - 布希英博 .
"Michel's experience as the CEO of a major global company and his deep knowledge of complex operations, world-class branding of innovative products and winning in consumer industries make him a tremendous addition to our board of directors." said Christophe Beck Chairman and CEO at 艺康 .
"It's a honour to join the board of Ecolab, a company that is dedicated to delivering for its shareholders while making a positive impact for its customers and communities. I look forward to bringing my global experience to bear as I work with my fellow board members to help guide Ecolab's strategy and advance the company's growth. said Michel Doukeris
Sad news from Grundfos
Jens Moberg steps down as Chair of the Board of Directors of GRUNDFOS
After 12 successful years as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Grundfos, Jens Moberg has decided to step down. Claus Aagaard , CFO of Mars is set to take over.
Jens Moberg said:
"I am pleased to entrust the vital position as chair of the board to Claus Aagaard. He has a unique global management experience from one of the world's foremost family-owned companies. That was the reason we invited Claus Aagaard to join the board two years ago, and since then, he has made a big difference."
"'It has been a fantastic privilege to be part of Grundfos for so many years and to have helped steer the company through major changes. Grundfos is a rock-solid, value-based company, which has its eyes firmly set on the future with a new and strong strategy. The way I see it, I have accomplished what I set out to do, and I feel the time is right for me to pass on the baton."
ClearWater Solutions appoints a new CEO
CWS ClearWater Solutions , a leading provider of water and wastewater management services has named Paul Quentel, MBA ad its new Chief Executive Officer.
Bringing over 27 years of executive leadership experience, Paul Quentel, MBA will oversee CWS's operations and spearhead strategic initiatives aimed at expanding the company's reach and optimizing its business processes. His role includes developing and implementing a comprehensive sales strategy to enhance efficiency and drive growth!
Quentel said:
"I am honoured to join ClearWater Solutions and work alongside its dedicated professionals. The company has build a stellar reputation with long-standing clients, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships while fostering a culture of excellence."
Energy Recovery reveals new CTO and VP
Energy Recovery, Inc. appoints a new Chief Technology Officer and Vice President, Wastewater.
Ram Ramanan will become CTO, taking over from Farshad Ghasripoor, PhD whose retirement comes after 12 years with the company!
Energy Recovery President & CEO said:
"We are charting a path forward that disciplined and driven by technical operational, and cultural excellence. Ram and David's leadership will help realize our strategic vision for profitable, sustained growth across multiple markets. I also want to thank Farshad for his many years of service and technical leadership."
Ramanan holds over 30 years of diverse leadership experience creating disruptive products and fostering innovative cultures at start ups.
He said:
"I am excited to partner with Energy Recovery's stellar leadership team and deliver exceptional solutions to customers. The company's PX technology has a wide range of commercial applications, and I look forward to pushing the frontier of what the PX can deliver."
On the other hand, Kim-Hak has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility over his six years with Energy Recovery, most recently as Senior Director, Product Management and Technical Support, Water!
Puraffinity reveals their new Chief Commercial Officer
Earlier last month, Puraffinity; the leading developer of precision technology for the removal of PFAS, announced the appointment of Neal Megonnell as CCO.
Neal brings over 30 years of experience in various leadership, technology and sales roles in the carbon industry to his new role at Puraffinity.
In his role as CCO, Neal will be responsible for driving Puraffinity's commercial strategy, expanding market presence, and accelerating growth in the rapidly evolving field of PFAS removal technologies.
CEO of Puraffinity, Vincent Caillaud said:
"His impressive track record in the industry coupled with his deep understanding of PFAS-related challenges, aligns perfectly with our mission.? His background in R&D, with multiple published papers and two patents related to activated carbon, will be instrumental in driving our commercial success and furthering our goal of providing innovative PFAS removal solutions.”
Neal Megonnell said:
"I am thrilled to join Puraffinity at this exciting time. The company's commitment to developing sustainable adsorbent materials for PFAS removal aligns with my passion for innovative water treatment solutions. I look forward to working with the talented team at Puraffinity to expand our market reach and deliver cutting-edge technologies to communities and industries worldwide.
3 Exciting Partnerships
British Water and The Water Council partner to drive global water innovation.
The framework of collaboration is set to foster innovation, business development, and global connections across the water sector. Both organisations have committed to cross-promote programmes and offer special membership discounts; facilitate business relationships, business-to-business meetings and pilot projects.
SAP partners with Metito Utilities to accelerate AI-powered digital transformation.
SAP has recently announced its partnership with Metito Utilities to ensure scalability, flexibility and speed by leveraging scalable cloud technologies to streamline corporate governance.
As part of the partnership, Metito will implement will implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition in the first half of 2025 in the UAE, followed by a phased international rollout.
Rami Ghandour , CEO at Metito Utilities said:
"At Metito Utilities, our commitment to innovation and sustainability demands robust digital infrastructure to support our rapid global expansion. By implementing GROW with SAP, we’re enhancing our operational efficiency while enabling our teams to make AI-driven decisions in real-time. This technology backbone will be crucial as we scale our sustainable water management solutions and climate-resilient water assets.”
Veolia gains a new strategic investor!
Veolia has secured a strategic partner with CriteriaCaixa , the investment arm of la Caxia Foundation; forecasted to acquire a 5% stake in the company.
The investment from CriteriaCaxia reflects their confidence in Veolia's vision and strategic direction, particular in its GreenUp plan. The partnership aligns with Veolia's core values, its global approach to operations and its commitment to stakeholders, including employees and partners.
Antoine Frérot Chairman of Veolia Environment, added:
"We are delighted to welcome our new shareholder CriteriaCaixa, a company that we know well, to our Board of Directors. Veolia is convinced that through this investment, the friendly commitment of this major ally in support of our strategic plan and our independence will create shared opportunities and have a very positive impact on the Group's development."
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