Corporate Information

B Ag and Res Eco, LLB

Chairman

Mr Shirrefs is a barrister, economist and professional company director. He practices at the Bar in commercial law with a particular interest in franchising, competition and public law. Before commencing practice as a lawyer he held senior positions as a regulatory economist for both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments. He has had extensive experience in public policy and public administration, in particular in relation to the utilities and infrastructure sectors. As well as his position at South East Water Limited, Mr Shirrefs is a Director of Watermove Pty Ltd and the Tintern Schools. Mr Shirrefs was appointed to the Board of South East Water Limited in August 2005 and to the role of Chairman in October 2010. 

B V Sc, Pos. Grad Dip Mgt, MBA, FAICD, FAIM

Director

Dr Slocombe has extensive experience in business, running her own veterinary diagnostic company and then moving on to a career in executive management within a public company. She is currently CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation and holds Directorships on numerous Boards. In 2001, Dr Slocombe was named the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year. In 2003, she was awarded a Centenary Medal for service to Australian society in business leadership. Dr Slocombe was appointed to the Board of South East Water Limited on 1 July 2008. 

B Econ (Hons), PhD

Director

Dr Gentle is an economist with 35 years of experience in economic analysis and public policy particularly of issues relating to industry, trade and natural resources and environmental management. Dr Gentle has held senior positions with the Australian, Victorian and Queensland Governments and was a Commissioner of the Murray Darling Basin Commission. She has also worked in the private sector as a consultant, and currently runs her own consulting business. Dr Gentle was appointed to the Board of South East Water Limited on 1 September 2008.

Dip Eng (Civil), MAICD

Director

Mr Passalaqua has broad commercial, operational, and technical experience gained across multiple business sectors including services, logistics, and petrochemicals. Mr Passalaqua worked with consulting engineers in the water supply and sewerage field before gaining diversified experience in Australia and internationally with Shell, the Mayne Group, and a Victorian Government Statutory Authority. Mr Passalaqua holds other Board roles with the North East Victoria Tourism Board and with Disabled Wintersport Australia. Mr Passalaqua was appointed to the Board of South East Water on 1 October 2010.

GAICD

Managing Director

Mr Hutchings was appointed as Managing Director of South East Water Limited in July 2011.

Prior to this appointment Mr Hutchings was South East Water’s Acting Chief Executive Officer from February 2011 and has been with the company since its inception in 1995.  He brings a wealth of water, sewerage and infrastructure senior management expertise to his role as Managing Director.

Mr Hutchings was previously General Manager of ‘us’ - Utility Services, which oversees the design, construction, operation and maintenance of South East Water’s infrastructure, sewer and water pipeline renewals and water quality and the operation of eight sewage treatment plants. Additionally, he was responsible for new growth areas for external works, including Australia and New Zealand.

Before joining South East Water in 1995, Mr Hutchings worked for 19 years at Email Electronics, which specialised in the development of new hardware and software technologies in both retail and distribution markets for major oil companies.

B Comm, LLB (Hons), GAICD

Director

Ms Cheng has broad commercial and international corporate finance experience. She is currently Director of Corporate Development and Mergers and Acquisitions and has held other senior executive roles at Visy Industries and Pratt Holdings since 2005. Previously, Ms Cheng was a Vice President at JPMorgan Investment Bank and worked in their New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Melbourne offices.

Ms Cheng has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law and was appointed to the Board of South East Water on 1 October 2011.