New Managing Director for Hunter Water

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey has today announced the appointment of Hunter Water’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Darren Cleary, as its new Managing Director.

Minister Pavey said the formal appointment of Mr Cleary as Managing Director provides business continuity and direction while ensuring consistent delivery of Hunter Water services to the Lower Hunter community.

“I am confident Darren will continue to provide strong leadership at Hunter Water, building on his extensive experience at the agency, including most recently as Acting Chief Executive Officer since February,” Mrs Pavey said.

“In his previous role as Chief Investment Officer, Darren was responsible for leading the planning and delivery of Hunter Water’s $600 million infrastructure program, and coordinated Hunter Water’s drought response campaign ‘Love Water’.

Hunter Water Chairman, Terry Lawler AO, said Mr Cleary’s appointment to the role followed a rigorous, international recruitment process.

“This is a challenging time for everyone in our organisation and community. We are confident selecting Darren to lead Hunter Water on a permanent basis ensures Hunter Water remains well positioned to continue to deliver its essential services to the community,” Mr Lawler said.

Mr Cleary has lived in Newcastle for 18 years and holds a number of directorships, including on the Board of the Committee for Hunter and a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Newcastle’s Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER).

Mr Cleary succeeds former Managing Director, Jim Bentley, who was appointed as the NSW Government’s Chief Executive Officer for the NSW Water Sector in July last year.