Our leadership team
The Leadership Team oversees policy implementations, day-to-day management of our people, and the delivery of services to our customers.
Jennifer Hayes
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Jennifer was appointed as the Acting CEO effective from 25 October 2025.
Jennifer's career expands Executive and Non-Executive positions, in a diverse range of sectors including fast moving consumer goods, primary health, utilities, education and regional development in Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Having joined Hunter Water in 2018, Jennifer held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Manager Finance & Business Performance, including responsibility for corporate finance, regulatory economics, investment portfolio management, commercial and supply chain.
Known for her broad ranging skills and experience leading organisations strategically and operationally, Jennifer is driven to create positive change at an individual, organisational and community level.
Currently, Jennifer serves as a Non-executive Director of Hunter Primary Care, a Board member of Newcastle Grammar School and formerly as a member of University Council, Charles Sturt University. She is also Co-founder of the community foundation, City2City, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2023 for service to community.
Jennifer holds a Master of Business (MBA), is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and a Graduate Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Lisa Hammerton
A/Executive Manager Finance and Business Performance
Lisa is a finance professional with extensive experience gained across private practice, financial services and the utilities industry in Australia and Internationally.
As A/Executive Manager Finance and Business Performance, Lisa leads a team which is responsible for Economics, Regulatory Policy, Capital Investment Portfolio, Corporate Finance, Financial Control and Compliance, Treasury Management, and Business Performance Reporting.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science (First-Class Honours) in Applied Accountancy, a Master of Science in Professional Accountancy and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Jenny Francis
Executive Manager Digital
Jenny Francis has over 30 years of experience in digital transformation, strategy/business improvement, leadership and organisational change across banking, electricity, transport logistics and heavy industry. A proud Novocastrian, Jenny is passionate about the role Hunter Water plays in making our communities great places to live.
As Executive Manager Digital, Jenny leads digital transformation at Hunter Water and oversees a dedicated team that ensures the robustness, security, and efficiency of our information systems. Jenny serves as the APAC Chair for SWAN - The Smart Water Networks Forum, working with others to facilitate digital transformation of water.
Jenny has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from University of Newcastle and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Emma Berry
Executive Manager Strategy and Engagement
Emma is a water sustainability professional with over 25 years' experience in the water industry. She is passionate about delivering sustainable outcomes for the region.
As the Executive Manager Strategy and Engagement as Hunter Water, Emma leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for strategy development, long term investment planning, sustainability and community and stakeholder engagement.
Emma and her team tackle a range of complex and challenging issues faced by the water industry; including securing the Lower Hunter regions water supplies, responding to climate change, and managing our region's wastewater to create a positive environmental legacy. Her team has an important role to ensure investment decisions are evidenced based, reflective of community values and balance the needs of today with those of future generations.
Emma has a degree in Environmental Engineering, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and is a graduate of the Australia Institute of Company Directors. She is an Advisory Board Member on the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) at the University of Newcastle.
Glen Robinson
Executive Manager Customer Delivery
Glen has more than 25 years of experience in the water sector, including in infrastructure planning, capital delivery, system operations, asset maintenance and customer services. Having filled numerous roles at Hunter Water, Glen has been directly responsible for delivery of some of Hunter Water's largest capital works projects and for the operation of all water and wastewater assets including dams, catchments, treatment plants and distribution networks.
Glen is responsible for planning, operating and maintaining the assets that deliver Hunter Water's services, to enable and improve the quality of life of our customers and communities.
Glen holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and a Bachelor of Surveying both with first class honours from the University of Newcastle and a Diploma of Management.
Ian Pike
Executive Manager People & Culture
Ian leads the People and Culture Division which includes responsibility for the following functions: safety health and wellbeing, human resources management, capability building, organisational culture, managing change and promoting continuous improvement and innovation.
Ian has led the human resources functions of large, complex, organisations in the tertiary education and research sector (University of Newcastle and CSIRO) as well as utilities (Sydney Water Corporation) and the Department of Water Resources. Ian has also provided specialist executive and professorial search services for the Higher Education sector.
Ian has a Bachelor Applied Science (Environmental Health) and Graduate AICD.
Matthew Hingston
Executive Manager Customer Services
Matt leads the team responsible for delivering great services to our customers, consumers and the community, ensuring their experiences are valued at every touchpoint. This includes leading the teams responsible for customer service operations, residential and business water efficiency and conservation, revenue services, retail services, developer services and customer solutions.
Matt is an experienced leader with a diverse career spanning a number of industries including financial services, marketing and communications, media and utilities. He is passionate about ensuring customers are at the heart of decision making, recognised for delivering digital transformation programs and driving strategic change in the businesses he has operated in to create better experiences for customers.
Matt is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications Studies) degree from the University of Newcastle.
Krisiti Mandich
A/Executive Manager Business Services & Assurance
Kristi has extensive experience leading commercial, procurement and project strategy and successful delivery, with a strong focus on efficiency and value for money outcomes for Hunter Water and our customers. Kristi has worked across multiple industries including aerospace, manufacturing, professional services and utility sector both within Australia and Internationally.
As A/Executive Manager Business Services & Assurance, Kristi leads the Internal Audit and Risk, Compliance Management Systems, Property Services, Environment and Commercial & Procurement functions. She is responsible for the enterprise risk framework, integrated management systems, business support services and supplier management and engagement across Hunter Water.
Kristi holds a Master of Commercial Law from Macquarie University and a Diploma of Project Management. Kristi has served on the board of a not for profit organisation in Sydney, also acting as Chair for their Risk and Governance Committee.
Justin Watts
Executive Manager Infrastructure Delivery
Justin is a seasoned infrastructure and water industry professional with over 25 years of experience spanning engineering design, project delivery, and strategic leadership across both public and private sectors. He is passionate about improving the built environment to help communities thrive.
As Executive Manager Infrastructure Delivery at Hunter Water, Justin leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the development and delivery of major capital works across water, wastewater, stormwater, and environmental infrastructure. His team plays a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable project outcomes that support the region's long-term service needs.
Justin has overseen the delivery of some of Hunter Water's most complex and high-value projects. He is recognised for his ability to foster collaborative partnerships, drive innovation in infrastructure delivery, and achieve outcomes through strategic procurement that maximise value and efficiency across the capital program.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental) with Honours and has undertaken postgraduate studies in Software Engineering at the University of Newcastle. Justin actively contributes to the Australian Water Association, including participation in several international knowledge exchange programs.