At its core, GMB Water has been established pursuant to Section 42 of the Local Government Act 1999 (SA) to oversee and operate Mount Barker District Council’s expanding wastewater and recycled water services.
The establishment of the Subsidiary enabled the Council to recruit specialist expertise and capability to effectively and efficiently oversee and manage the increasing scale and complexity of the operation and delivery of wastewater and recycled water services.
The Board of Directors, appointed by Council, are responsible for setting overall strategy, policy and direction to take forward to operation and expansion of the Council’s wastewater and recycled water services. The Board meets at least every three months.
Mark Gobbie, Chair
Mark has over 40 years’ experience as a professional engineer and general manager in infrastructure delivery and water utility operations with specialist expertise in water and wastewater. Mark is currently Chair of Water Research Australia, and his previous professional experience includes General Manager, and acting Chief Executive, roles with SA Water. Mark is also an experienced Company Director, bringing a wealth of knowledge in ‘best practice’ governance, having served on the Board of Diving South Australia (Chair) for the past four years. In addition to this, he was also a past President of the SA Branch of the Australian Water Association; a former Chair of the School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering Advisory Board at the University of Adelaide; a trustee of the Edwardstown Football Club (SA) and provides Board Advisory services to a number of private sector companies through his own business. Mark has been a member of the Mount Barker District Council’s Wastewater Service informal advisory board for the last 3 years and has been appointed the inaugural Deputy Chair of the Subsidiary by the Board to ensure continuity in the transition of the Council’s wastewater and recycled water services to the Subsidiary. Appointed: November 2024
Isabella Villani, Non-Executive Director
Isabella is a commercially astute and well-credentialed Executive and Board Member with extensive experience in governance, strategic leadership, and organisational development. Known for driving performance and fostering innovation across diverse sectors, she brings deep expertise in corporate governance, risk management, and financial oversight. Isabella’s senior roles across public and private sectors—including Utilities, Financial Services, Telecommunications, and Government—highlight her capability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and dynamic markets. Recognised by Chairs and CEOs for her strategic thinking and collaborative leadership, she is committed to achieving sustainable business outcomes. Appointed: February 2025
Carmine Ciccocoppo, Non-Executive Director
Carmine is an experienced Board Member, CEO and Director with over a decade of board level experience spanning the environmental, water, and circular economy sectors incorporating both Not for Profit and Commercial organisations. Carmine is currently CEO and MD of Osmoflo responsible for the overall strategy, financial performance, risk management, compliance and governance of the Group of some 300 staff spanning 3 continents and with annual revenues exceeding AUD120 million. Appointed: February 2025
Susan Filby, Non-Executive Director
Sue is an experienced Non-Executive Director and former executive of large business enterprises in diverse industry sectors, with specific expertise in strategy, corporate performance improvement, customer services, culture change and regulatory environments. Sue has demonstrated strong, energetic and effective leadership in several Government and private sector utilities businesses, with a particular focus on building high standards of customer service performance and owner returns and reputation. Sue was previously on the SA Water board for 10 years. Appointed: February 2025
Lionel Ho
Lionel has over 25 years’ experience in the water industry where he has worked in a diverse range of roles within SA Water. He is currently SA Water’s Senior Manager Water Expertise where he leads a team of 30 water professionals. Lionel is a prominent leader in the Australian water industry most notably the Australian Water Association (AWA), Water Industry Alliance, and the International Water Association, where he has served on national committees and councils. Lionel was a Director of the Water Industry Alliance from 2015-2019 where he served as the Deputy Chair for two years. He previously served as the Chair and Vice President of the AWA SA Branch Committee and sat on the Strategic Advisory Council of the Federal AWA. Recognition of Lionel’s contribution to the water industry is demonstrated through his award of the Premier’s Water Medal in 2023, the state’s highest accolade in the water sector. Furthermore, he was recently presented with the AWA’s Exceptional Service Award, the Association’s highest individual honour, awarded in recognition of long and meritorious service, and a positive and demonstrable contribution to the Association. He is only the 9th recipient of this award in the Association’s 60-year history. Lionel is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed his PhD in 2004 from the University of South Australia. He has a distinguished research and technical background having authored over 130 publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and conference publications. Lionel held adjunct positions at the University of Adelaide (Affiliate Lecturer) and University of South Australia (Associate Professor) and was a visiting scholar at the University of Illinois, USA (2000).
Helen Edmonds, Executive Director and Chief Executive
Helen joined Mount Barker District Council as Head of Wastewater in 2022, responsible for running the council owned and operated wastewater service as a standalone business within council. With a degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD in Fluid Mechanics Helen has worked in the water industry for more than 30 years including a year in industry while still a student in the UK, working as a consultant to Scottish Water, working as a consultant and for Auckland's water utility in New Zealand, and since moving to South Australia has worked as a consultant and also for SA Water. Helen was appointed Chief Executive of GMB Water in November 2025. Appointed: November 2024