The Leadership Team

Chief Executive

Pat Dougherty

Pat is responsible for overall leadership and management at Wellington Water.

A water engineer by profession, Pat has extensive leadership, local government and infrastructure and asset management experience. Pat was the Chief Executive of the Nelson City Council for five years and the Kāpiti Coast District Council for ten years.

In 2023, Pat was appointed as a Director to the Wellington Water Board. An appointment he has served for the past 12 months before taking on the role as Chief Executive.

During his time at the Kāpiti Coast District Council, Pat was also Chair of the Wellington Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Executive Group and served on the Board of the McKays to Pekapeka Expressway Alliance.

Pat also sits on the Board of the New Zealand Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Master of Business Administration (with Distinction)
Member of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Member of Engineering NZ

Director of Regulatory Services

Acting Group Manager Customer Operations

Charles Barker

Charles is responsible for providing assurance that Wellington Water's operation and maintenance of the three waters networks is compliant with legislation and regulatory standards. His team covers legal, risk, assurance, compliance and further supports the company by providing support in emergency management. Charles’ group is unique in the fact that it works across the company to provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Board of Directors.

As Acting Group Manager Customer Operations, Charles is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the three waters network and ensures the service delivery meets the needs of our client councils and stakeholders. The Customer Operations team is the first point of contact in responding to client and customer requests.

Charles has over 25 years' experience in regulation and operations. Prior to this role, Charles was with the New Zealand Defence Force’s Institute of Leadership Development.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Political Science (Canterbury)
Masters in Strategy (Victoria University)

Group Manager Network Development & Delivery

Susannah Cullen

Susannah is responsible for the engineering investigation, design, and capital development delivery for three waters infrastructure solutions for our council owners.

Susannah is an experienced leader with extensive programme management experience in the water sector. Susannah brings a deep understanding of the organisation to the role as she was previously the Head of Programme Practice at Wellington Water.

Prior to joining Wellington Water, Susannah worked as a Programme Manager at Stantec in the UK where she worked with clients such as Scottish Water and Thames Water. Susannah has also worked as a water engineer and project manager in the water sector in Australia

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Engineering, Civil (University of Auckland)
Post Graduate Certificate in Integrated Water Management (Griffith University)
Chartered Professional Engineer (Engineers Australia)

Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Business Services

Mark Ford

Mark is responsible for the provision of strategic financial and procurement advice, support and services for Wellington Water. He is an experienced finance and operational management professional with over 20 years experience as a senior manager within the Media/Publishing, Financial Services, Transport and Government sectors.

Prior to joining Wellington Water in December 2018, he worked for Greater Wellington Regional Council as Finance Manager.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Accounting and Management
Post Graduate Diploma, Management
Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Group Manager Network Management Group

Jeremy McKibbin

Jeremy is responsible for the operation and maintenance of treatment facilities for water and wastewater. He ensures that control systems and processes are in place so our water networks are reliable and that they meet our stringent quality requirements, and ensures we are focused on technological innovation by investigating and delivering new smart services.

Jeremy has over 20 years' experience in the water industry mainly with control systems and water treatment. Prior to joining Wellington Water in September 2014, Jeremy worked for the Greater Wellington Regional Council as the leader of the water treatment operations and control systems teams. Jeremy has recently completed his Master of Business Administration.

Qualifications

Master of Business Administration
Advanced Diploma in Industrial Automation
Diploma in Water Treatment

Group Manager Network Strategy & Planning

Julie Alexander

Julie is responsible for the development and implementation of the regional three waters strategy, policy and investment advice, and ensures that asset management planning meets the needs of client councils. She also oversees consenting under the Resource Management Act, and the development and implementation of information and knowledge management strategies and systems to ensure that company and three waters data informs decision making and improves performance outcomes.

Julie is a senior leader with experience across several central government sectors including public policy, transport infrastructure investment and planning, public transport and customer relationships. Julie has also worked within the local government sector in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Environmental Sciences (Hons) (University of East Anglia, UK)