Aurecon appoints Global Head of Water to build water sensitive cities

Engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon has created a new role that reflects the diverse and changing nature of the global water industry.

As Aurecon Global Water Markets Leader, Canberra-based Kevin Werksman will help the business build its capabilities in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  

The new role is part of the company’s aim to become the water industry’s top strategy consultant by helping create innovative solutions to the sector’s most complex challenges.

Aurecon Managing Director – Infrastructure Ben Stapleton said Werksman’s 20 years’ experience in the water industry, including providing strategic advice to water businesses as a partner at Ernst and Young, had prepared him for the position.

“Kevin’s role covers a wide scope of challenges and services in the rapidly evolving industry, such as water security, and water sensitive cities and regions,” Stapleton said.

“In developed markets, water innovation is playing an integral role in the rise of smart cities, while at the other end of the scale there are complexities around water access and sanitation in developing countries.”

Kevin Werksman has been appointed A urecon Global Water Markets Leader.

Werksman said he is looking forward to helping communities design better water strategies that suit their unique challenges, no matter where they are in the world.

“In Australia, the water industry is undergoing a real change, evolving from a focus on asset management to delivering better services and value to their customers,” he said.

“One of my focus areas will be working with governments, water utilities and customers to shift from simply designing solutions to imagining solutions customers will value.”

In Africa, he said the company will focus on helping solve sanitation and water security challenges, while in Asia it is about designing modern solutions to modern problems.

“Asia is a key growth geography for Aurecon, given the number of emerging markets where water security is a key issue, and there is a need to invest in new dams, recycled water and desalination,” Werksman said.

“We will focus on creating innovative solutions to deliver 21st century water services for customers with ageing infrastructure.”