Our Team

Diogo Faria de Oliveira

Relevant experience:

Over 30 years of experience in the water sector
Executive Director of Defining Future Options, 2015 to date
Executive Director of Aquapor, 2001-2015
President of 10 Portuguese utilities, 2001-2015
President of the Board Advisory Council of the Portuguese Water Regulator, ERSAR
President of the Tariff Council of the Portuguese Water Regulator, ERSAR
President of the International Specialist Centre of Excellence in PPP on Water and Sanitation (a UNECE & Government of Portugal partnership)
President of the Management Team of the Portuguese WSS Strategic Plan (PENSAAR 2020) for the Portuguese Ministry of Environment
Water Supply and Sanitation specialist and Advisor of the Board, AdP-Águas de Portugal, 1993-2009
20+ countries of experience in Africa, America, Europe, and Middle East

Background

Degree in Civil Engineering, IST (Portugal)
Executive Management Program, Stanford University (USA)
Business and Sustainability Programme, University of Cambridge (UK)
Native Portuguese speaker, fully proficient in English, and with knowledge of French and Spanish

Relevant experience

33 years of experience in the global water sector, with deep expertise in water treatment technologies, EPC and O&M contracts, hydropower operations, utilities management, and public procurement
Executive Director of Defining Future Options, 2021 to date
COO of Hydropower at Aquila Capital, managing a portfolio of 21 small-scale plants, optimizing operations to maximize energy production, 2019-2021
President of AEPSA (the Association of Water and Waste Private Operators), 2015-2018
Member of the Advisory Council of the Portuguese Water Regulator (ERSAR), 2015-2018
Founder of Baccher, a consultancy company, focused on innovation and efficiency in the water sector, where he advised utilities and public authorities on strategic reforms, operational performance, and new public–private business models, 2017
CEO of SISAQUA, Portugal’s leading O&M and engineering company for water and wastewater treatment plants, driving international projects across Europe, Latin America, and Africa, 2009-2016
Business Development for the environment, energy, and infrastructure sectors at EDIFER, a construction company, 2007-2009
Commercial Director of Degrémont in Portugal (now Veolia), leading complex EPC projects worldwide, 1992-2007
Board Member of the International Specialist Centre of Excellence in PPP on Water and Sanitation (a UNECE & Government of Portugal partnership)

Background

Degree in Environmental Engineering, Universidade Nova (Portugal)
International Executive MBA, IE Business School (Spain)
Native Portuguese speaker, fully proficient in English and French, with knowledge of Spanish