Gavin Van Tonder

Gavin van Tonder brings a truly global outlook on water utilities, challenges and solutions to his role as Executive Director of Water at NEOM, having worked for over two decades in some of the world’s largest markets, including Australia, China, India, Singapore and the UK

.At NEOM, he is charged with developing a greenfield water infrastructure, implementing leading-edge, high-recovery desalination and wastewater technologies.They include zero liquid discharge strategies that eliminate liquid waste and maximize water efficiency when managing wastewater. In addition, he is leading plans for the creation of a smart water distribution and transmission network for NEOM .

Van Tonder’s career includes having held senior engineering, field service and C-suite positions with water utilities and companies around the globe. His expertise spans energy and utilities sectors, including oil, gas and water, focusing on innovative, smart solutions, systems and products that deliver efficiency and performance.

Having initially set out in the water industry in 2001, van Tonder’s career took him to global giant Schlumberger ,where he fulfilled a range of field service and engineering roles in locations including London, Mumbai, Shenzhen, Singapore and Vietnam.

His work at Itron in France and Austin, Texas, saw him become President of the Water Division–a role that saw him assume responsibility for the sector’s global strategy, management and growth. Van Tonder has started factories, facilities and water infrastructure from the ground up in China, India, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and Mexico, and he presently serves on water technology company advisory boards in Europe and the Americas. He has also served on boards in China, Indonesia, India, and Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natalin South Africa.

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SESSIONS

Wednesday 10th May, 13:45 – 15:15: The Great Brine Debate