Brigadier Mark Smethurst DSC, AM (Retd), DSC, AM is an accomplished senior executive leader, with a highly successful track record commanding large and diverse teams both in Australia and overseas, with stakeholder management from senior government and international military officials on national and international security issues.
With 35 years’ service in the Australian Army, and 27 of those years as a Senior Special Forces Officer. His experience has been gained and matured in high level command, leadership, operations, training and resolving specialised complex strategic challenges.
He has commanded up to Squadron level in the Special Air Service Regiment, Commanded the 2nd Commando Regiment in Sydney during their busiest operational period since inception, and was the Deputy Commander of the Australian Special Forces Command. He has Commanded the NATO Special Forces in Afghanistan and was the Deputy Chief of Operations for US Special Operations Command. Prior to departing the Australian Defence Force in March 2017 he was head of Preparedness • Director General Joint Force Analysis developing Futures Concepts, Experimentation, Lessons & Preparedness.
From March 2017- 2019 he was the Commissioner of the State Emergency Services (SES) for New South Wales (Band 3). In this role he led and directed the restructure and transformation of the SES into an efficient and responsive emergency service. with the over 9,500 volunteers and 300 staff. Whilst coordinating a whole of government approach in emergency services development and supporting the National level development of emergency services.
Mark now assists organisations with development and networking of capabilities, through the provision of advice on leadership development and change management through boards and senior leadership mentorship. As a member of the Global SOF Foundation and his contacts in Australia, he is well positioned to assist and advise organisations in Australian and the Region.