The Executive Exchange

In this special edition of the Executive Exchange podcast, Piers interviews Jess Bohorquez from Australia about her podcast, 'Our Water Connection.' Jess shares insights into the purpose of her podcast, which aims to connect professionals within the water industry and educate the general public. She discusses her background in civil engineering and her journey from Colombia to Australia, where she...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange 15-minute podcast, host Piers Clark interviews John Macita,manager at Metro Cebu ater District (MCWD) in the Philippines. John shares his career journey from electrical engineering to his 23-year tenure at MCWD. He discusses the operations and scale of MCWD, highlighting its role in serving nearly half a million people in Cebu. John also delves into his mentors...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark welcomes Dr. Bob Stear, Chief Engineer at Severn Trent Water. Bob shares his career journey from civil engineering to becoming a chief engineer, emphasizing his passion for sewage treatment. The discussion centers on Severn Trent's comprehensive approach to the circular economy, breaking down topics like heat recovery, nutrient extract...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Ruben Fernandes, the executive director at Águas do Porto in Portugal. Ruben shares his unique journey from civil engineering and urban planning to leading one of Portugal's largest water utilities. He discusses how he integrates urban planning concepts into the water sector, emphasizing sustainable urban drainage solutions,...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Lina Ong Chiew Yin, Senior Manager in Corporate Planning at Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), Malaysia. Lina shares her unique career journey from studying Malay language to leading change management in the water sector. The discussion highlights IWK's role as a mentor in the Asian Development Bank's Water Operators Partnership...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, Piers Clark interviews Harry Sachinis, Chief Executive of EYDAP, Athens' Water and Wastewater Treatment Company. Sachinis shares his journey with experience in the US energy, aerospace, and defense sectors to heading Greece's gas company, DEPA, and eventually leading EYDAP. He discusses the significant infrastructure in Athens, including water sources,...

In this episode of Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark interviews Shaun Cumming, the managing director of Barwon Water in Australia. They discuss how First Nations values influence leadership within modern water utilities. Shaun shares his journey into the water sector, the operations and challenges faced by Barwon Water, and several case studies demonstrating the integration of First Nations principl...

In this episode of the Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark speaks with Ong Tze Ch'in, the Chief Executive of PUB, Singapore's national water agency. Ong discusses his transition from a 25-year military career to public service, emphasizing the leadership and operational skills he brought along. He shares insights into Singapore's water journey, highlighting innovative initiatives and the role of water...

Delivering 'added value' the Portuguese way - with Ana Luis, President, ADP VALOR Enhancing Value in Water Management: A Conversation with Ana Luis of AdP VALOR In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Ana Luis, President of AdP VALOR, a company within the Águas de Portugal group focused on generating value and promoting efficiency both within and outside the organ...

The 2019/20 Kangaroo Island bushfires, with David Ryan, Chief Executive, SA Water, Australia In this episode of Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark interviews David Ryan, Chief Executive of SA Water in Australia. David shares his journey from a career in sports to leading a major water utility, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of a role that spans urban, regional, and remote areas in South Austr...

Coping with the April 28th 2025 National Power Outage, with Nuno Brôco, CEO Águas do Tejo Atlântico In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark welcomes back Nuno Brôco, Managing Director for Águas do Tejo Atlântico, to discuss the massive power outage on April 28, 2025. The outage affected all of Portugal and parts of Spain, resulting in eight deaths and 25 injuries, and raisin...

The Asian Development Bank's utility twinning programme, with Satoshi Ishii, Director for Strategy and Partnerships, ADB and Vivek Raman, Principal, ADB In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Satoshi Ishii and Vivek Raman from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss the bank's impactful initiatives in the water sector. The conversation covers the guests' educ...

Nature-Based Water Solutions: Insights from United Utilities' Asset Management Director Jo Harrison In this episode of the Exec Exchange 15 minute podcast, host Piers Clark talks with Jo Harrison from United Utilities in the UK about nature-based solutions in the water sector. Jo shares her journey into the water industry, the role of United Utilities, and their significant use of ecological metho...

'Non-Revenue Water - An agent for change!' with Andrew Donnelly, Board Director, Águas de Portugal International In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Andrew Donnelly, a board member at Aguas de Portugal International. Andrew shares his unique journey from Newcastle to Portugal, discusses his extensive career in the water sector, and elaborates on his contributi...

Even a small utility can be carbon neutral, with Pav Policar, Chairman, VAK HB Plc., Czech Republic In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Pavel Policar, chairman of VAK HB Plc. in the Czech Republic. Pavel shares insights from his extensive career in the water sector, including his academic background, international experiences, and his impactful work at VAK HB...

30 Years of Yarra Valley Water with Managing Director Pat McCafferty In this special 25th episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, hosted by Piers Clark, we celebrate Pat McCafferty's 44-year career in the water sector, including 30 years at Yarra Valley Water in Victoria, Australia. The discussion covers significant topics such as the millennium drought, the reform of the Australian water sector in...

Data Centres and Water Demand - with Kristen Atha, Executive Director, City of Columbus, Ohio In this episode of 'The Exec Exchange,' host Piers Clark speaks with Kristen Atha, Director of Public Utilities for the City of Columbus . They discuss the complexities and opportunities of providing water services to rapidly growing data centers and semiconductor fabs, focusing on issues like water deman...

Leadership in Volatile times, with Nuno Brôco, Executive Chair Aguas do Tejo Atlantico, Portugal In this episode of The Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark speaks with Nuno Brôco, Chairman of Águas do Tejo Atlântico. They discuss Nuno's background in chemical engineering and his extensive career in the water sector, including his time at Suez and Águas de Portugal (ADP). Nuno explains the unique struc...

The Unique ownership and operating model of Welsh Water, with Steve Wilson, MD, Welsh Water In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Steve Wilson, Managing Director for Wastewater Services at Welsh Water. Steve shares his career journey from studying environmental chemistry at Brunel University to his roles in Yorkshire Water, Kelda Water, and finally Welsh Water....

Delivering a World Class Lead Replacement Programme: Will Pickering, CEO at Pittsburgh Water In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Will Pickering, the Chief Executive of Pittsburgh Water. They discuss Will's career journey, the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, and the challenges Pittsburgh faced with elevated lead levels in their water supply. Will highlights the...

The US EPA's research on microbial source tracking, with Sally Gutierrez, former Director of National Research Laboratory, EPA In this episode of the Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark converses with Sally Gutierrez, former director at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They delve into Sally's extensive career in the water sector, notably her pioneering work on microbial source tracking. S...

Wastewater Treatment in Cold Climates with Kjetil Wang Hansen CEO at Veas Norway In this episode of Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark interviews Kjetil Wang Hansen, the Chief Executive of Veas, Norway's largest wastewater treatment plant. Hansen discusses his unique background, transitioning from an aircraft mechanic and engineer in the Norwegian Air Force to leading Veas. He reflects on the challen...

Meeting the ambition to be energy neutral, with Peter Verlaan, CEO, Aa en Maas, The Netherlands In this episode of the Exec Exchange 15-minute podcast, host Piers Clark interviews Peter Verlaan, Chief Executive at Aa en Masse in the Netherlands. They discuss Peter's engineering background, the structure and responsibilities of Dutch Water Authorities, and the region Aa en Masse covers. Peter elabo...

2% of the population, 38% of the assets', with George Theo, Tas Water In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark interviews George Theo, the Chief Executive of TasWater in Australia. George shares his extensive experience of nearly 39 years in the water industry, including his previous role as CEO of Unity Water, and discusses the complexities of merging multiple council water...

Day Zero, Cape Town - 7 years on... (with Leonardo Manus, Exec Director, Water and Sanitation, Cape Town) In this episode of the Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark speaks with Leonardo Manus, Executive Director for Water and Sanitation at the City of Cape Town. They discuss the aftermath of the Day Zero crisis, challenges posed by the post-COVID influx of vulnerable populations, and innovative strate...