Mark Ford to Retire From Watercare

Media Release
Friday 19 September 2014
1100hrs

Mark Ford to Retire From Watercare

Watercare Services Limited chief executive Mark Ford is retiring following ill health earlier in the year.

The company’s chairman, Mr David Clarke, says Mr Ford will step down on 19 September 2014. Mr Raveen Jaduram will continue in the role of acting chief executive until such time as the Board appoints a successor to Mr Ford.

“This is an especially sad day for Watercare. Mark has an exceptional knowledge of the water industry and under his stewardship the company has become recognised globally as an example of best practice in the provision of water supply and wastewater services.

“Since Mark was first appointed chief executive in 1994, Auckland’s water and wastewater infrastructure has become significantly more robust and resilient; able to cope with the demands of a growing population and increasingly strict environmental standards,” says Mr Clarke.

Mr Ford’s legacy includes many complex and significant projects including:

• the $500-million upgrade of the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated restoration of Manukau Harbour wetlands and surrounds;
• the commissioning of the Waikato River water pipeline and treatment plant along with resolution of complex resource consent and tangata whenua issues;
• the $120-million construction of a high-capacity tunnel and pump station to replace an aging sewer pipe that bisected Hobson Bay and a pump station that overflowed during wet weather;
• the transformation from a bulk water supply company to an integrated bulk and retail service provider for all of Auckland;
• the delivery of a $116-million project to connect the townships of Franklin to the metropolitan supply, overcoming long-standing quality and supply issues.

“Many of the projects that Watercare undertakes are large and complex, and involve significant investment. The company and Mark can take much pride in having successfully delivered such projects on time and within budget, a record due in no small part to the importance he attached to fostering strong relationships between Watercare and iwi.

“Under Mark’s leadership, Watercare has matured and now holds assets worth $8.4 billion and supplies services to more than 1.4 million Aucklanders.”

“His many services to Auckland and the country, some of which he fulfilled without receiving personal recompense, are well known,” says Mr Clarke.

Mayor Len Brown has recorded his appreciation of Mr Ford’s many years of service to Auckland, including in securing safe and reliable water supplies, overseeing the implementation of the new Auckland Council, and serving as Chair of Auckland Transport. “He has played a hugely important part in ensuring the well-being of Aucklanders.”

Mr Ford was chief executive of Watercare from 1994 until June 2009 when he resigned to accept the Government’s invitation to become the Executive Chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency, the body responsible for planning and managing the local government reorganisation. Upon the completion of that assignment in November 2010, he rejoined Watercare and continued to serve as chief executive until his retirement.

ENDS

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