Mark Smith

Merit-selected to assume the primary engineering, technical and assurance leadership role in the division with accountability for a range of critical multi-modal and multi-disciplinary engineering services and functions required to service one of the largest and diverse transport infrastructure portfolios in Australia. The role has accountability for over 100 personnel and an operational budget of circa $23m servicing a capital portfolio of $7.2b delivering the States key road, rail and fleet projects. The role leads and resources the development and implementation of key enterprise assurance frameworks and processes including: standards management, configuration management, system & safety assurance, and technical capability including Rail Safety Worker (RSW) programs.

Accountable for the total technical rail cohort across the Infrastructure & Place division deployed across the rail development and delivery project portfolio, consisting of Engineering, Technical Management and Systems Engineering & System and Safety Assurance professionals. The role required effective executive leadership and representation of the Rail group across the branch and with client and sponsor stakeholders and interfacing divisions within Transport. The role was accountable for the provision of specialist technical advisory support, assurance and compliance, digital engineering, systems engineering and system integration services to support the portfolio.

Selected into this key leadership role with executive responsibility for one of the largest and most complex signalling and systems technology and upgrades in Sydney’s modern railway history. Working closely with Sydney Trains, this post was accountable for the establishment and implementation of system engineering and safety assurance and systems integration frameworks and capabilities to enable the successful delivery of the TfNSW Digital Systems program (a collective term for the development and implementation of European Train Control System Level 2 (ETCS L2), Traffic Management System (TMS) and Automatic Train Operation (ATO) into the Sydney metropolitan passenger railway system).

Accountable for agency-wide leadership of competence and capability systems and requirements, providing expertise and operational, tactical and strategic advice on competency management systems, the assurance of competency and capability and competency standards across the portfolio of the then 'Authorised Engineering Organisations' (AEOs) and TfNSW delivery and buyer entities. The role was responsible for leading research and development activities for the branch, crafting and developing relationships and leading initiatives to support the growth and value derived from ‘Government-Industry-Academia’ partnerships to support transport infrastructure investment

As leader of the AECOM NSW Rail Team, accountable for successfully building and growing the consultancy and design business and maintaining capability and performance across a wide range of project commitments and services, while maintaining and establishing controls, governance and infrastructure necessary to support a diverse and distributed team operating nationally. Led the tendering and successful delivery of the rail systems technical advisory and design contracts of several major passenger and freight rail projects including: Epping to Thornleigh Third Track (ETTT), North West Rail Link, Kingsgrove to Revesby Quadruplication, South West Rail Link, Metropolitan Freight Network and Richmond Line Alliance.

Selected and recruited from the UK as the inaugural Rail Sector Leader for the NSW business. Delivered on a remit to establish, develop and grow business in the rail sector. Initially formed a track and civil engineering capability that provided support to the national and international business as well as developing strong client relationships, industry networks and a portfolio locally and nationally.