Tom is passionate about the central role played by water and sanitation in the social, environmental, and economic well-being of society. He is also a firm believer in the power of constructive engagement and evidence-based decision-making as the foundation of sustainable water policy.
Over the past 25 years, Tom has worked extensively in the water sector. He was CEO of the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust up until February 2021 and prior to that was CEO of the Australian Water Association. He served as Deputy Executive Director of IWA in London for two years after undertaking a series of Executive Management roles at South East Water in Melbourne. Tom’s professional career started in law, first in private practice and then as corporate counsel.
His advisory work has covered utilities and water authorities, research centres, industry bodies and government agencies. He has worked extensively across water sector infrastructure, regulation, policy and governance.
Tom currently also holds non-executive directorships in Australia as Chair of Gippsland Water, with Peninsula Leisure, and Deputy Chair of the Victorian Sustainability Fund Committee. He is a former Non-Executive Director of Water Aid Australia, Western Water, Wyong Water and Chair of the Water Industry Superannuation Fund. His other passion has been surf lifesaving and he is a former President and Chair of Life Saving Victoria and Director of Surf Life Saving Australia. He is qualified B. Juris. LL.B. MBA and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Chartered Governance Institute.
In January 2023, the Australian Government honoured Tom, appointing him an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to business, particularly through the essential services industry, and to the community.
Tom lives on the Mornington Peninsula, near Melbourne, Australia.
