Neil Palmer, currently general manager of technical services at Australia’s Osmoflo, will take over late in October as the CEO of the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination (NCED).
Palmer is a director of the International Desalination Association and a life member of the Australian Water Association.
Palmer said, “It is a great privilege to accept the challenge of leading the NCED team, based at Murdoch University, and working closely with the 13 research partners across Australia. The very establishment of the NCED recognises the incredible growth in seawater desalination in Australia since the first major metropolitan plant opened in Perth in 2006. The NCED will be building on Australia’s long history in desalination to help solve water problems world wide.”
Prior to joining Osmoflo, the largest Australian owned desalination and water recycling company, Palmer was chief engineer for United Utilities Australia for five years where he was responsible for engineering design and process solutions, after eight years as water quality manager
The outgoing interim CEO, Prof David Doepel, said, “I am excited about Mr Palmer’s appointment, particularly given his extensive experience in the water and engineering industry. His background further compliments the skills and expertise of the recently appointed chief scientific officer, David Furukawa.”