The Executive 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

Chief Operating Officer (Acting)

Charles Barker

Charles is responsible for the operational delivery of a reliable and efficient three waters network that meets the needs of our client councils and stakeholders. This includes maintenance and development of water infrastructure, ensuring high-quality service delivery, asset resilience, and delivery of short to medium term goals that align with long-term strategic goals.

Charles has over 25 years' experience in regulation and operations.

Qualifications

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

Chief Strategy & planning Officer

Julie Alexander

Julie is responsible for the development and implementation of the regional three waters strategy, policy and plans to ensure the sustainable management and growth of water infrastructure. The Strategy and Planning group focus on understanding future demand and the level of investment required to achieve the regional priorities. She also oversees consenting under the Resource Management Act, engineering and modelling advisory services.

Julie is an experienced senior leader, working across several central government sectors covering public strategy and policy, transport planning and investment, public transport regulation 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)

Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (Acting)

Erin Ganley

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

Erin has over 20 years' experience in the water industry across risk, assurance, compliance, asset management and operations. Prior to joining Wellington Water in September 2014, Erin worked in roles within the local government and the consultancy sector.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Canterbury)
Certificate in Civil Engineering (Wintec Waikato)

Chief Corporate Services Officer (Acting)

Wayne Maxwell

Wayne is responsible for the enabling the effective functioning of the organisation and the achievement of strategic goals by delivering support services. This includes finance, health & safety, people and capability, business planning, digital product services, commercial and procurement functions.

Wayne has had a diverse career in executive strategy and finance roles, and has worked in local government for much of the past 25 years. Prior to this role he was the Chief Executive at Kapiti Coast District Council.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) (Victoria University)