Managing Director of Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) Peter Quinn will retire today, the culmination of a 40 year-career in the water industry.
Quinn first joined the utility in 1996, and has held the leadership position since 2008. His time at GVW was marked by innovations in wastewater recycling and water treatment, as well as advocating for diversity and inclusion
Board Chairman Mark Stone said GVW had reached a strong position under Quinn’s leadership and the foundations he had set would see the utility focus in future on enhancing value to customers and supporting healthy and prosperous regional communities.
“I would like to sincerely thank Peter for the service he has devoted to the water industry. The 2016 Barry E Leach Prestige Award, one of the industry’s highest accolade, is testimony to that exceptional service,” Stone said.
“As Managing Director, Peter has steered GVW through significant challenges, including the 2009 Black Saturday fires.
“His leadership has also brought accolades to GVW as the first water authority awarded a PREMO rating for their 2018-23 price submission. This rating recognised Peter’s ongoing commitment to customers and his skills in organisational change.”
The PREMO — or performance, risk, engagement, management and outcomes — rating is an assessment system used as part of Victoria’s water pricing regulatory framework.
Quinn’s experience includes strategic planning, regional infrastructure development, organisational capacity building, risk management and governance. He has also been a leader in the region’s community life, including as a committee member of vocational education provider GOTAFE, a contributor to the Goulburn Valley CEOs Leadership Group, and an advocate for the development of the new Shepparton Art Museum.
Quinn’s successor at GVW is Stephen Capewell, who will assume the Managing Director position from 1 September.
Capewell, who was most recently Executive Manager for Water Corporation in Western Australia has a background in engineering, water cycle management, water operations and water treatment, infrastructure planning and asset management, field operations and maintenance, as well as staff culture and safety development.
“Steve has a fantastic opportunity to lead the next phase of growth for GVW, in particular harnessing the digital opportunities in water management, and leading and adapting to the challenges of a changing climate,” Stone said.