Executive Management Team

Our Executive Management Team consists of a Managing Director, five General Managers who are responsible for Service Delivery; Digital & Innovation; Strategy, Governance & Finance (CFO); People & Customers; Planning & Assets and one Executive Manager responsible for Governance & Quality Systems.


Stephen Capewell

Managing Director

Steve joined Goulburn Valley Water as Managing Director in September 2020. He has more than 20 years' experience in the water industry and has a strong background in engineering, water cycle management, water operations and treatment, infrastructure planning and asset management. Steve also has experience in field operations and maintenance, as well as staff culture and safety development.

He has a focus on innovation and commerical and risk management, and engaging with and servicing regional communities. Prior to joining GVW, Steve was a executive manager at Water Corporation in Western Australia, managing an operational division of more than 600 staff members.

He has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical Engineering).


Christina Bassani

General Manager – People & Customers

Christina Bassani

Christina joined Goulburn Valley Water in 2012 as the Manager People and Wellbeing and was appointed to the role of General Manager People and Customers to enable our employees to provide an excellent customer experience each and every time.

Christina has extensive experience in human resources and industrial relations, leadership development, workforce planning, diversity and inclusion, customer service, communications and engagement across industries including water, education, finance, hospitality and retail sectors. She has a Bachelor of Business, Masters in Leadership and Change Management, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Christina is the Chair of the VIC Water Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee and is a member of the Institute of Water Administration (IWA), The Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Christina is an active member within the local community with involvement on several different committees and programs.


Daniel Flanagan

General Manager – Service Delivery


Daniel joined Goulburn Valley Water in 2011 and has worked in many parts of the business, most recently as the Regional Operations Manager before being appointed to his current role of General Manager Service Delivery. He has developed a wide range of skills primarily around the design and operation of water and wastewater assets.

Daniel has a Masters in Engineering Science (Civil) and a Masters in Business Administration.


Daniel Hughes

General Manager – Planning & Assets

Daniel joined Goulburn Valley Water in 2006 and has undertaken several roles including most recently Manager Asset Management before being appointed to his current role of General Manager Planning and Assets in November 2018.

Daniel has over 20 years of experience in the water industry and has previously held roles at Central Highlands Water and Coliban Water.

Daniel has a degree in Civil Engineering, a Masters of Business Administration and is a member of the Australian Water Association and Engineers Australia.


Sarah Thomson

General Manager – Strategy, Governance & Finance (CFO)

Sarah Thomson

Sarah Thomson is the General Manager - Digital, Governance & Finance (Chief Financial Officer) for Goulburn Valley Water. She moved to Shepparton in 2017 and has been delighted about the community she found here. She passionate about ensuring that the region is prosperous, a terrific place to live and continuing the culture of strong, diverse and inclusive leadership in our community. Sarah started her career at Deloitte and has worked for Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation, World Vision, Burnet Medical Research Institute and most recently WaterAid Australia. Sarah is currently a Board Member of THREE (Towards Human Rights for Everyone Everywhere) Foundation and was previously an Audit Committee member at the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.

Sarah is a Chartered Accountant, she has Bachelor of Economics and Asian Studies (Australian National University) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  


Danny Hogan

Executive Manager – Governance & Quality Systems

Danny Hogan

Danny joined Goulburn Valley Water in June 2008 as the General Manager - Corporate Services and assumed the role of Executive Manager – Governance & Quality Systems in July 2019. He has a Bachelor of Business (Local Government) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has had 31 years’ experience in the local government industry, including eight years as Chief Executive Officer of Murrindindi Shire Council. Danny also has a background in the water industry, being Secretary of the former Broadford Water Trust and Sewerage Authority and managing the former Alexandra/Thornton/Eildon/Marysville Water & Sewerage Trusts. He is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Shepparton Central.

Danny is a Fellow member of the Institute of Water Administration (IWA) and a member of the IWA Governance Special Interest Group.


Tony Wulff

General Manager – Digital & Innovation

Tony joined Goulburn Valley Water in June 2019 after 12 years in the Global Technology Industry. His role was created from the newly developed Digital Strategy and he is accountable for ensuring the timely and effective evolution of Goulburn Valley Water’s transition to a customer centric organisation utilising technology to operate effectively and efficiently.

Tony has a Bachelor of Business and is a highly regarded senior leader in Global Enterprise strategy, execution and capability development with a proven track record of delivering high quality business outcomes in challenging, fast-paced work environments.

He is results driven with exceptional people leadership and problem-solving capabilities developed from experience in the technology, finance and professional sporting industries.