Strategy
Jean-Hugues Gavarini, Chairman of the Board: "This responsibility goes beyond business"
Published on 9 May 2026
5 min
Jean-Hugues Gavarini founded LAKE with a clear ambition: to build a trusted platform capable of connecting strategic water resources with long-term water needs. Having led the Group as Chief Executive Officer since its inception, he now serves as Chairman, ensuring continuity of vision while supporting the Group’s next stage of development.
He shares his perspective on LAKE’s mission, the role of the Board of Directors, and the ambitions that will guide the Group in the years ahead.
What does LAKE’s mission represent to you today?
Jean-Hugues Gavarini: When LAKE was founded, we started from a simple observation: water is fundamental to life, yet it is often managed as though its availability could never be questioned.
For generations, societies have relied on water as a permanent certainty. Today, that certainty is being challenged. Population growth, climate variability, infrastructure pressures and increasing demand are reshaping the global water equation. Our mission is therefore larger than the water sector itself. It is about contributing to the long-term resilience of nations, communities and industries by helping connect strategic water resources with those who depend upon them.
For generations, societies have relied on water as a permanent certainty. Today, that certainty is being challenged. Population growth, climate variability, infrastructure pressures and increasing demand are reshaping the global water equation. Our mission is therefore larger than the water sector itself. It is about contributing to the long-term resilience of nations, communities and industries by helping connect strategic water resources with those who depend upon them.
Why has water security become a strategic priority?
JHG: Water security is no longer simply an environmental or operational concern. Increasingly, it is linked to economic stability, food production, energy generation and social development.
The ability of a nation or an industry to secure reliable access to water will influence its capacity to grow, innovate and prosper. In many respects, the future of prosperity will depend upon how effectively we manage and protect this resource.
This requires greater discipline, greater transparency and, above all, a long-term perspective.
This requires greater discipline, greater transparency and, above all, a long-term perspective.
What role should a company like LAKE play in addressing these challenges?
JHG: Our role is not to replace existing institutions or resource owners. Our role is to build bridges.
We seek to connect resource holders, governments, industries, communities and future generations around a common objective: ensuring that water remains secure, accessible and responsibly managed. We believe sustainable progress is only possible when economic development and responsible stewardship move forward together. This principle guides every decision we make.
We seek to connect resource holders, governments, industries, communities and future generations around a common objective: ensuring that water remains secure, accessible and responsibly managed. We believe sustainable progress is only possible when economic development and responsible stewardship move forward together. This principle guides every decision we make.
What qualities will be required to meet the challenges ahead?
JHG: The years ahead will require innovation, cooperation, discipline and long-term thinking.
No single organisation, government or industry can address these challenges alone. The solutions will emerge through collaboration, trust and shared responsibility. At LAKE, we believe leadership means helping create the conditions for that cooperation to succeed. It means looking beyond immediate interests and acting with future generations in mind.
No single organisation, government or industry can address these challenges alone. The solutions will emerge through collaboration, trust and shared responsibility. At LAKE, we believe leadership means helping create the conditions for that cooperation to succeed. It means looking beyond immediate interests and acting with future generations in mind.
As Chairman, what responsibility do you feel personally?
JHG: I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to help guide LAKE through its next stage of development.
As Chairman, my role is to preserve the long-term vision that inspired the creation of the Group while supporting the leadership team responsible for executing that vision every day. We approach this responsibility with humility, determination and a deep sense of purpose.
Water has always sustained civilisation. Our challenge now is to help secure its future.
As Chairman, my role is to preserve the long-term vision that inspired the creation of the Group while supporting the leadership team responsible for executing that vision every day. We approach this responsibility with humility, determination and a deep sense of purpose.
Water has always sustained civilisation. Our challenge now is to help secure its future.