Leadership

Jeremy Ben-David founded the Group in 1992, after identifying the opportunity to realise growth for POU water dispensers in the otherwise bottled cooler-dominated industry. Jeremy was initially responsible for the UK operations and the creation of Waterlogic UK. Subsequently he spent considerable time developing the international focus of the business and strengthening key global markets. This included the enhancement of the Group’s manufacturing facilities to improve productivity and global supply. As Group Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy is responsible for the overall strategic development of the Group, international business development and key relationship management.

Jonathan Ben-David has worked for large international companies for many years in senior management positions. Prior to founding his own business in the UK, he worked for Soda Club International (now called Soda Stream and listed on the NASDAQ) as Group Special Projects Manager, tasked with setting up the Group’s international manufacturing facilities, including in the UK and Israel. In 1995, Jonathan set up a manufacturing company specialising in designing and manufacturing medical and laboratory plastics equipment. Initially, it was a sub-contractor for larger medical companies but gradually evolved to design, market and sell its own product ranges to the NHS and major laboratories in the UK. After the successful sale of this business, Jonathan joined the Group in 2004 with the remit to set up and oversee the Group’s Chinese and Korean manufacturing facilities.

A South Korean national, having relocated to China with the factory move in 2004, Mr. Kim has been with the Group since 1996 and has vast experience in POU design and development. Colonel has been instrumental in the setting up of Waterlogic China after serving with Waterlogic Korea for more than 10 years. Colonel now heads up all the Group’s R&D projects and teams.

Philippe Barnetche joined Waterlogic France in July 2009 where he was instrumental in increasing revenue, staff numbers and MIF during his tenure, turning it into a significant contributor to the overall success of the company. He has significant commercial and management experience in finance leasing and IT systems integration organisations (including funding and growing a captive leasing subsidiary). Philippe is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the manufacturing facility in China, ensuring the delivery of first-class products, developing and growing his team and supporting the long-term growth plan for manufacturing and R&D.

Veerle Claes has over 20 years’ experience in commercial management roles, building organisations and departments from scratch, and integrating companies after acquisitions. She has held senior management roles for four years, all with a focus on customer experience, creating clear processes and employee engagement. She has a Master’s degree in Economical Sciences.

As Managing Director, Carl is responsible for Waterlogic Australasia and the significant opportunities this market presents. Carl has a very strong business-to-business background, having worked for Chubb Security & Monitoring Solutions (part of the United Technologies Group) as their Australian Managing Director. Prior to his 8 years with Chubb, Carl was National Sales & Operations Manager Coke Vending for 3 years, with Coca Cola Amatil (CCA). This role followed 5 years as General Manager of a New Zealand vending technology company, until that company was acquired by CCA. Earlier roles included working for 3 years with Unilever in New Zealand.

Erik Gulbrandsen joined Waterlogic in April 2011 and brought with him an excellent sales pedigree combined with senior management experience, most notably as Sales Director of ISS washrooms in Norway with whom he was employed from 2003 to 2011. Whilst at ISS, Erik played a key role in numerous successful acquisitions and improved overall performance of the management team. He has extensive knowledge of ISO standards (quality management guidelines) and CRM systems.

Nathan joined Waterlogic USA in June of 2017. Nathan began his career working at Deloitte, where he spent several years working in M&A. Following his time at Deloitte, Nathan has held various private equity related positions both as an operator as well as working on the deal team. Immediately prior to joining Waterlogic USA, Nathan was the Chief Financial Officer of Microlease Americas, a private equity owned company, and helped oversee the successful exit of that business.

Mattias Källemyr had previous managing director experience with two organisations before joining the Group, each focusing on the business-to-business market. With significant sales and management experience gained in the copier and printer and machinery industries, Mattias joined the Group in 2009 to manage its Swedish operations, Waterlogic Sweden (a direct sales business with an extensive customer base mainly in the larger Swedish cities) and Escowa AB (which is entirely focused on trade sales).

Gary joined Waterlogic USA as Chief Sales Officer in 2017. Gary is now responsible for all U.S. sales teams, operations and fleet management, customer service, administration, marketing and supply chain. He has extensive B2B leadership experience at such firms as Staples, Corporate Express and Cort Furniture Rental in multiple disciplines. Prior to Waterlogic, he was a Partner serving as North American Head of National Accounts at Shred-it International, a private equity-backed firm, that successfully exited. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Business.

Robert Moorman started his bottled water cooler business in 1996 and became an exclusive Waterlogic distributor for the Benelux in the year 2000. The bottle business merged with another company in 2002 and was then sold in 2006. From 2002 onwards, Robert and his team focused their efforts on growing the POU business in the Benelux region. In 2006 Watercompany became part of the PHS Group and since then, the business has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions. Since January 2016, Watercompany has been a part of the Waterlogic Group. As Managing Director of Waterlogic Netherlands, Robert is responsible for the overall strategy of the company.

Greg Pritchett joined Angel Springs in April 2014 as Business Development Director (MD Designate). Prior to this, Greg spent 20 years within the office products sector, predominantly supporting the business-to-business channel, across commercial, procurement, merchandising and management disciplines as Merchandising Director for Corporate Express UK and Staples Advantage UK, and Commercial Director, Spicers UK. Following the acquisition of Greenworks and PHS Waterlogic, and to support business growth and succession, Greg was promoted to Deputy Managing Director Waterlogic UK in October 2016 and is now Managing Director of Waterlogic UK & Ireland.

Alex Szekely has been with Waterlogic since October 2016 during which time he has helped deliver and integrate several successful global acquisitions for the Group and been responsible for the management of subsidiaries in Hungary, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Alex has developed strategic opportunities for organic growth and entry into new markets. In his career, he has been COO of an investment fund, a management consultant, a chemical engineer at Continental Germany and he has an MBA from the London Business School.

Casey Taylor joined Waterlogic in September 2012 as part of the acquisition of Taylor Made Water Systems. His commitment to customer service has been core to his leadership in creating and growing the Taylor Made Water Systems business since 1999 into the largest independent POU dealership on the West Coast. Casey was a practicing attorney before his leadership within the water cooler industry and is active in the California Bar Association. As CEO of Waterlogic Americas, Casey is responsible for strategic growth in North America, including M&A, overall strategy, and corporate culture.

Ladislav Voců had been in the role of Manager Director at Lux Aqua prior to its full acquisition by Waterlogic in 2018, now re-branded as Waterlogic Czech Republic. Before that he was the Finance Manager at Lux Aqua CZ for over four years, having complete responsibility for all financial activities in the Czech Republic. He has also held a number of other senior finance positions since completing his Master’s degree in Economics in 1999.

Olaf Wilhelm ran a water treatment equipment company, Höcker GmbH, after his earlier career at his father’s laundry equipment and services business. Seeing the market opportunity for POU water dispensers in commercial laundries initially, Höcker GmbH was a distributor for Waterlogic products and after a joint venture in 2001 became Managing Director Waterlogic GmbH. The German operation became a ‘best practice’ model for the Waterlogic Group as it grew, and Olaf was appointed as COO in 2010. Olaf is a qualified mechanical engineer and a certified business economist.

Francesco joined Waterlogic in February 2011 as Director of International Sales and was promoted to the position of Managing Director of Waterlogic Trading in 2013. He and his team are responsible for the management and development of Waterlogic’s international dealers’ network, sales in over 50 countries, global supply chain and technical support. Prior to Waterlogic, Francesco covered a variety of senior international commercial roles in the Technology and Consumer Medical Devices industries.