governance & independence
Operra is founded by Sparkoper and openly symbiotic with it: Operra owns and publishes the open knowledge — training, reference frameworks, standards — while Sparkoper keeps its proprietary data and platform. We do not claim a separation our shared mission would belie. We manage the overlap transparently, with explicit guardrails.
And the conflict we don’t hide: a utility that structures its data becomes a stronger customer for any technology vendor — Sparkoper included. We disclose that; we don’t pretend otherwise.
guardrails
data ownership & sovereignty
Utilities keep ownership and control of their data, end to end:
- Data used in training remains the property of the utility.
- Structured datasets produced in preparation are delivered back to the utility.
- Aggregated, anonymised insights enter the open framework only with the utility’s explicit written consent.
- The AI assistant processes queries without storing conversation history.
- Aligned with the African Union’s Data Policy Framework.
the board & the team
The board is being constituted in 2026 with an independent majority. The founder serves as Executive Director with no veto right; Jean-Antoine Faby chairs the board. Independent members are listed here as they are appointed.
Julien Guittet — Founder & Executive Director. Former SUEZ executive, creator of Sparkoper, and lecturer at AgroParisTech. LinkedIn ↗
Jean-Antoine Faby — Board President. Director of the AgroParisTech–SUEZ “Water for All” Chair and its international network of utility managers. LinkedIn ↗
Independent board members — to be appointed in 2026.
operational continuity
Operra is built on an enduring ecosystem. Delivery draws on institutional partners — the AgroParisTech “Water for All” Chair and its network of certified trainers, SUEZ, and four African Centers of Excellence — and on a training-of-trainers model that progressively places delivery with local certified trainers. Training content is fully documented and modular, and the AI-native model carries much of the production, data structuring and post-training support. Day-to-day coordination is held by a dedicated team member on a permanent contract from September 2026.
talk to the team
Independent governance, an existing network, and proof in the field. Let’s discuss how your support reaches the whole network.