Embracing Innovation: How Brabant Water is Shaping the Future

In the latest episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark welcomes Hanneke van de Ven, the Sector Director for Distribution at Brabant Water in the Netherlands. This engaging discussion explores the pivotal role of innovation in the water sector, emphasizing how Brabant Water continues to lead the way in integrating cutting-edge technologies.

The Journey to Brabant Water

The episode kicks off with Hanneke sharing intriguing insights into her professional journey. With a background in engineering, she spent two decades in a consulting engineering firm before making the leap to the drink water sector, a transition that has opened up new opportunities and challenges alike. It’s a testament to the career growth and evolution many professionals undergo, and how changes in sector focus can reinvigorate one’s professional life.

Understanding Brabant Water

Piers and Hanneke delve into the operations of Brabant Water, a company fiercely dedicated to providing high-quality drinking water to its two and a half million clients in the south of the Netherlands. With an infrastructure that includes 29 production facilities and 20,000 kilometers of network, Brabant Water is setting the bar high in terms of service delivery and innovation. The company is also exploring alternative water sources like brackish and seawater, indicating its readiness to adapt and innovate in the face of global and environmental changes.

The Need for Innovation

Hanneke shares her perspective on why Brabant Water, and the Dutch water sector as a whole, must continuously innovate. Despite the sector’s advanced development, there is a pressing need to adapt to environmental changes, political pressures, and an evolving workforce. The conversation highlights the importance of agility and technology in managing these challenges, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of industry advancements.

Tackling Challenges with KenWave

The discussion takes a deeper dive into a fascinating project with KenWave, a collaboration aimed at refining Brabant Water’s asset management. Hanneke outlines the challenges of managing a vast distribution network and the innovative steps taken to measure pipeline conditions non-invasively. This partnership underscores the importance of global collaboration in technology adoption, making use of international networks to explore and implement effective solutions.

A Culture of Innovation

Innovation is more than a buzzword at Brabant Water; it’s a strategic priority. The company has embraced technologies like digital twins to keep pace with industry developments while making itself a more attractive employer in a competitive labor market. The forward-thinking culture not only enhances operational efficiency but also enriches the professional environment, inviting creativity and enthusiasm in tackling long-standing industry challenges.

Looking Forward with Curiosity

As the conversation winds down, Piers poses an introspective question to Hanneke about what advice she would give her younger self starting in consultancy. Her response reflects a theme running throughout the podcast: the value of curiosity and the importance of creating opportunities. It’s an encouragement to future leaders to forge their paths through curiosity and proactive engagement with the world.

The Exec Exchange episode with Hanneke van de Ven is a compelling reminder of the transformative power of innovation. It’s not just about staying relevant but advancing the industry through new strategies and collaborations. As Brabant Water demonstrates, embracing innovation ensures they are not only meeting today’s needs but are also ready for the future’s challenges.