Partnerships are the key to continuous improvement, and Downer’s Executive General Manager Water is building a culture where their people, customers and utilities can thrive.
As one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest providers of complete water lifecycle services, keeping the water flowing for 14 million people across two countries is no small task – but for Downer’s Executive General Manager Water, Neal Firth, it’s more than infrastructure projects and program delivery.
It’s a personal mission that’s about delivering long-term value to communities, protecting natural resources, and shaping the future of a sector that speaks directly to Downer’s purpose – enabling communities to thrive.
With more than 35 years working across the USA, UK, Europe, Asia and ANZ, Mr Firth brings a rare depth of cross-sector leadership experience to his role at Downer.
Since stepping into the role in 2023, Mr Firth has focused on strengthening partnerships, deepening technical capability, embedding innovation and generally raising the bar for Downer’s customers. The breadth of the Water team’s work is significant and ranges from upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, managing complex linear networks across regions, to delivering next-generation water recycling facilities.
From clean water access to wastewater management, Downer delivers water infrastructure that enables customers to meet the strictest of environmental conditions and the demands of fast-growing urban populations.
This role marks Mr Firth’s return to Downer after a decade away, having previously held leadership positions within Downer’s Rail business as Executive General Manager of both Passenger Services and Sales & Innovation. In the years between, he led Operational Excellence at Transfield / Broadspectrum / Ventia and held senior roles at Qantas, PwC, ResMed, and Harman International.
“I grew up in the south of England, near the Epsom racecourse where the Derby is held each year. But the most formative years of my leadership journey were spent in the US,” Mr Firth said.
“There’s a deeply embedded customer and delivery culture there and that’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.”
With qualifications including a Bachelor of Engineering (Sheffield Hallam University) and a Master of Commerce (University of New England), it’s Mr Firth’s certification in Lean Six Sigma that he credits as foundational to his approach to continuous improvement and high performance.
“One of the fundamentals that underpins a high performing organisation is a fanatical focus on continuous improvement,” he said.
“Lean and Six Sigma are the most widely used tools to drive our variations in output volume and specification. Underpinning this is a journey towards standardised best practice process and procedure that ensures safe, efficient and high-quality delivery and technology.”
Across all roles, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to outcomes. Mr Firth sets clear expectations, ensures strong delineation of responsibility, and uses metrics to drive performance. But he also understands that progress in water doesn’t happen in silos.
“Water is a complex portfolio, both from a process and customer viewpoint. Downer works with water authorities across Australia and New Zealand, with each authority requiring a different approach to the way the work is delivered,” he said.
“So partnerships are where the real progress happens. That means across our own team – from operators to engineers to project managers and with our customers. When we co-design solutions, leverage our inhouse expertise and look for synergies, everyone wins.”
Recognising that diverse teams deliver better outcomes, in 2024 Mr Firth championed the formation of a Diversity and Inclusion Council for Water. With a strong focus on supporting women in his team and creating space for all voices, Mr Firth is committed to building a team culture where capability is valued and everyone can thrive.
At the core of Mr Firth’s leadership is a deep personal connection to water. Living with his partner Joanna on a property in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Mr Firth spends his weekends bushwalking, growing his own produce and walking along the banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers – two critical catchments for Downer’s long-term customer, Sydney Water. So for Mr Firth, the protection of waterways isn’t theoretical. It’s personal.
Looking ahead, Mr Firth is focused on preparing Downer’s Water business for the future by:
- Uplifting capability and capacity to meet growing demand
- Leveraging new technology to improve reliability and efficiency
- Driving sustainable outcomes that deliver for customers, communities, and the environment
“I feel genuinely proud to be entrusted by our communities and clients to deliver water infrastructure that matters,” Mr Firth said.
“From clean water access to wastewater management, these essential services keep communities connected and thriving. At Downer, we work every day to ensure they run reliably, safely, and sustainably.”
