Our Board and Executive team

Our Board

The Seqwater Board is responsible for the way we perform our functions and exercise our powers under the South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007.

The Board’s role is to:

  • set strategy and direction, and provide the governance framework for the organisation through the endorsement of financial, administrative and operational policies
  • ensure we perform our functions and exercise our powers in a proper, effective and efficient way
  • ensure strategic and operational planning objectives are achieved
  • be accountable to the responsible Ministers for our performance
  • review the annual performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

Hon. Dr David Hamill AM (Chairperson)

Appointed 1 October 2018 | Reappointed 1 October 2021 | Appointment expiry 31 May 2024

The Honourable Dr Hamill is a professional non-executive company director with an extensive track record and Board experience. He is currently Chairperson of the Seqwater Board, and a member of the following board committees: Audit and Risk Committee, Investment and Procurement Committee, People and Culture Committee. 

Additionally, Dr Hamill is also Chairman of Act for Kids Ltd, Chairman of Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited (formerly Emerald Infrastructure Group (Emerald Infrastructure)), a Director of Brookfield Business Partners LP, Ebenezer Pastoral Pty Ltd, and Auraway Pty Ltd. 

Among his former roles, Dr Hamill was Chairman of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Chairman of the Gladstone Airport Corporation, Chairman of the Queensland Museum, Director of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP and a member of the governing body (Senate) of the University of Queensland.

As the Member for Ipswich in the Queensland Parliament from 1983-2001, Dr Hamill held the portfolios of Treasurer (1998-2001), Minister for Education (1995-1996), and Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Economic and Trade Development (1989-1995).

A Rhodes Scholar, Dr Hamill is a graduate of both the University of Queensland (BA and PhD) and Oxford University (MA). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and in 2009 he became a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament, the community and to business.
 

Penny Tovey

Appointed 1 October 2018 | Reappointed 1 October 2021 | Appointment expiry 31 May 2024

Ms Tovey has more than 25 years of experience in organisational leadership, legal compliance, industrial relations, human resources management, resource utilisation and organisational development. She is currently Executive Manager People and Culture and Southport Sharks Club. Among her former roles, Ms Tovey was the Director of the Association of Professional Engineers Scientists and Managers Australia, owner/director of her own company Workplace Knowhow and has worked for both employer and employee organisations. She was also Chair of the Industrial Relations Committee for CleanCo. 

Gail Ker

Appointed 1 October 2020 | Reappointed 1 October 2023 | Appointment expiry 30 September 2026

Gail is currently a board member on the Queensland Government Gambling Community Benefit Fund and provides consultancy services to the Migration Council Australia. 

She formerly was CEO of Access Community Services Ltd and served on a number of boards and advisory committees including Settlement Services Advisory Council and Community Advisory Committee of SBS. Gail  has more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian multicultural, humanitarian and community sectors. Renowned for her expertise in innovative service solutions for newly arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants, Gail is a recognised thought leader in needs-based community planning, innovative business models, social cohesion, strategic partnerships, employment pathways, funding opportunities and strategic direction.


In addition to her role as a Board member, Gail is a member of Investment and Procurement Committee and the People and Culture Committee.
 

John McEvoy

Appointed 1 October 2020 | Reappointed 1 October 2023 | Appointment expiry 30 September 2026

John joins the Seqwater board with 40 years’ experience in the mobilisation and delivery of major capital investment programs and megaprojects within Australia and internationally.  In the past 20 years, John has focussed on using proven capital investment governance practices to successfully plan and implement major economic, social and environmental infrastructure schemes ranging from $100 million to over $7 billion.

He has established an industry reputation in these fields as an innovative portfolio strategist and problem-solver, especially in business case optimisation for capital proposed investments and in the commercial crafting of contemporary contract models to deliver successful outcomes in challenging high-risk social and political environments.  His earlier engagements in South East Queensland’s water supply assets include Project Director of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme as well as broader involvement in the delivery of a range of dams, water treatment plants and trunk mains across the region.

In addition to his role as a Board member, John is Chairperson of the Investment and Procurement Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
 

Catherine Mickel

Appointed 1 October 2020 | Reappointed 1 October 2023 | Appointment expiry 30 September 2026

Catherine is a physiotherapist with more than 30 years’ experience across public, private and community health sectors. She is the former National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and was the APA’s national spokesperson for 7 years. She has a special interest in policy development in Aged Care and Palliative Care and has served on numerous national committees and advisory boards.

Catherine was the owner and director of Mickel Consulting, providing strategic advice to companies and organisations wanting to engage with Australian governments - local, state and federal. Her expertise in the not-for-profit community sector has seen her develop successful advocacy campaigns for many organisations.

As an experienced Director on national and state-based Boards, she has a keen interest in implementing best-practice corporate governance. Catherine is currently a Director on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Queensland), Diego & Co Pty Ltd and South Bank Medical Corporation Pty Ltd.

In addition to her role as a Board member, Catherine is a member of Investment and Procurement Committee and the People and Culture Committee.

 

Neville Ide

Appointed 1 October 2023 | Appointment expiry 30 September 2026

Neville has more than 40 years’ experience in finance and treasury management having held executive roles in the government, finance and banking sectors, including Queensland Treasury Corporation for 12 years and as Group Treasurer at Suncorp Metway Limited. His industry knowledge and experience covers banking, insurance, infrastructure and corporate treasury management, including debt and equity capital markets, balance sheet structuring and financial risk management. Neville has served as a Non-Executive Director on several public and private company boards since 2006, including appointments to Queensland Motorways Limited, RACQ Insurance, RACQ Bank, Retech Technology Limited, QBank and SunWater Limited. He is currently Director of QTC and Advisory Board Chair of Cryptoloc Technology Group.

Our Executive Team

Neil Brennan – Chief Executive Officer

Neil joined Seqwater in August 2018 with a 40 year history in the Victorian water industry, most recently as Managing Director of Western Water. 

He was also the Interim Managing Director of Goulburn Murray Water, Managing Director at Central Highlands Water and held various Ministerial appointments to industry committees including Director of the Board of the Energy and Water Ombudsman Scheme Victoria, Executive Council Member of the Institute of Water Administration, and Chair of the Victorian water industry's Intelligent Water Networks Steering Group. 

Neil holds a Graduate Diploma in Management, a Master of Business Leadership and has completed the Oxford Advanced Management Programme.

Will Harpham – Executive General Manager Legal and Governance

Will has more than 20 years of experience advising corporate and government entities across a variety of areas including major projects, transport and logistics, corporate governance, insurance, infrastructure and water supply. 

Prior to his current role, Will held management roles at LinkWater and Seqwater.

Melissa Williams – Executive General Manager People, Culture and Safety

Melissa has extensive human resources, customer and operations expertise with more than 20 years of experience working in the private, not for profit and public sectors. She has held senior roles in a diverse range of industries including energy, transportation, education and health/aged care.

Ross Muir – Executive General Manager Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery

Ross has more than 25 years' experience in the water sector, specialising in commercial and regulatory aspects of water supply. 

Ross’s previous role was Seqwater Executive General Manager Customer, Strategy and Planning and General Manager, Water Services prior to that. Before joining Seqwater, Ross was a consultant for more than 10 years advising private sector and government clients in the Australian water sector on price regulation, infrastructure investments, institutional reform and water policy.

Lisa Welsh – A/Executive General Manager Customer, Strategy and Planning

Lisa has been in the water industry for more than 15 years, working in the public and private sector in Queensland and New South Wales. Lisa is an experienced executive working in a range of roles including corporate affairs, regulation, water security, policy, commercial and customer experience.  Before joining Seqwater, Lisa was the General Manager, Customer Experience at Sunwater.

Bruce Linaker – Executive General Manager Digital Technology Information

Bruce has held various executive-level and senior management roles supporting the successful delivery of technology programs. Recent roles include the Chief Executive Officer for eHealth Queensland and Chief Information Officer for Queensland Health, accountable for the delivery of in excess of $1 billion worth of digital transformation projects. Prior to this, Bruce was based out of Manila where he led multiple digital transformation teams located throughout the Asia Pacific. 

Mike Hutchens – Executive General Manager Corporate Services

Mike is an experienced leader and Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years of experience working in a range of businesses including regulated Government Owned organisations in the energy industry, publicly listed multi-national mining companies and financial and professional services firms. Before joining Seqwater, Mike was the General Manager Financial Control with Energy Queensland. Prior to this, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Ergon Energy.

Fiore Zulli – A/Chief Operating Officer

Fiore is an accomplished engineer with more than 30 years' experience, across a wide range of roles spanning operations, production and management. After more than 20 years in the petroleum industry in a number of key management positions, Fiore joined Seqwater in 2016 as Manager, Operations (Northern Region) and is currently Acting Chief Operating Officer.