Executive Team
Our Executive Team consists of a Managing Director and six General Managers who are responsible for Service Delivery; Technology & Transformation; Strategy, Governance & Finance (CFO); Customers & Growth; Planning & Assets and People, Culture & Safety.
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, Culture & Safety
Christina joined Goulburn Valley Water in 2012 and has worked across several roles within the Human Resources area and at the Executive Team. She was appointed as the General Manager People, Culture and Safety in 2022.
Christina has 20+ years’ experience across different industries including finance, insurance, hospitality
and retail, and has worked for government agencies including local government and TAFE. She has a Bachelor of Business, Masters in Leadership and Change Management (Psychology) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Christina has a passion for regional leadership and capacity building and is proactive within the region, moving from the city over 15 years ago. She is passionate about developing a high performing workplace culture that is inclusive, safe and allows people to be their best whilst working as a team to deliver the best experiences and outcomes for our customers and community.
Christina is the Vice President of the Institute of Water Administration (IWA) and is the Board Chair of the Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program.
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 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.
Emma Youill
General Manager – Customers & Growth
Emma joined Goulburn Valley Water in September 2022 as the General Manager of Customers and Growth. She brings over 20 years of experience in customer service delivery and transformational change in public and private essential service organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Emma is accountable for delivering responsive and respectful customer contact, communications, community engagement, billing, trade waste and property services.
Emma is passionate about advocating for our customers and working to help regional and rural communities prosper. She is a board member at the Committee for Greater Shepparton and a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority.
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.