Virginia Newton-Lewis
Virginia is responsible for project development and follow-up within the Foundation’s Water & Development portfolio. Our aspiration is to increase societal resilience in relation to water challenges and the accelerating effects of climate change for people living in places where water is a challenge.

Dr. Virginia Newton-Lewis, Head of Water, Grundfos Foundation

Special competencies
  • Expert Advisory on water and sustainability
  • Strategy and systems thinking
  • Change Leadership
Curriculum Vitae
2025 – Head of Programme, Water and Development, Grundfos Foundation
2023-2025 Director of Water Sustainability, Grundfos
2022-2022 International Policy Manager – Net Zero, Our 2050 World, British Standards Institution
2018-2022 Senior Policy Analyst, Water Security, WaterAid
2015-2018 Water Policy Analyst (Consultant), The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
2008-2010 Water Consultant, Arup
2006-2007 Researcher, The Green Indian States Trust (GIST)
Education and training
2019 Accelerate to 2030, Leadership Training (internal programme)
2010-2015 PhD in Water Resources and International Development, University of East Anglia, UK
2007-2008 MSc, Water Science, Policy and Management, University of Oxford
2001-2005 BA (Hons) and MSci, Natural Sciences (Physical), University of Cambridge
Appointments and positions of trust 
2025- Board Member, SIWI
2020-2022 Co-Chair, UK Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Network
2022-2024 Steering Group, Water Security Research Centre, University of East Anglia
Year of birth
1982

Contact Virginia:

Virginia Newton-Lewis
Head of Water

Virginia is responsible for project development and follow-up within the Foundation’s Water & Development portfolio. Our aspiration is to increase societal resilience in relation to water challenges and the accelerating effects of climate change for people living in places where water is a challenge.