Q&A with Deputy Program Manager Blair Smith

Blair Smith is one of our Deputy Program Managers. As Melbourne Water’s Innovation Lead, he’s also crazy about tech. Just ask his smart home… or keep reading below!

LET’S START WITH THE PERSONAL. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

I grew up on farms and in small towns in New Zealand before moving to Australia 13 years ago with my wife. Our original plan was to move to the UK within two years, but we loved Melbourne, made great friends and never left. Today, we have two young girls (8 and 10) and call Melbourne home.

Outside work, I love tinkering with technology and appealing to my creative side. I’m mad about home automation and IoT so my home has reached a level of sophistication that rivals most. Maybe that’s my biggest personal achievement – losing control of my house to a computer… ? When I’m not experimenting with tech, you’ll find me playing the drums, making home brew or combing through annual reports looking for my next investment.

WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT ROLE?

My current role is Innovation Lead at Melbourne Water. We established MW’s Digital Innovation Hub about three years ago to help further digital innovation and support our business to explore innovative technology trials. I’ve worked in various roles at Melbourne Water for the past nine years.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

My background is quite diverse but it has always centered around technology. I’ve held roles in business development, management and consulting across different industries, including healthcare, local government, manufacturing, telecoms and utilities.

In addition to working for large local and multi-national organisations, I’ve worked with early stage startups, and started and sold businesses of my own. This inspired me to obtain my Master’s degree in business and entrepreneurial management, which I completed a few years back.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO EACH DAY (BUT TO A FIVE YEAR OLD)?

We think of new ways to make the work we do faster and better. We run small experiments to see if our ideas work and then tell others what we’ve learned.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN IWN?

I’m a fairly new addition to the IWN family, joining in March 2021 as Deputy Program Lead for the Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing Program.

I first connected with IWN about 12 months ago through an Industry Innovation Conference that we run at Melbourne Water. Having seen some of the novel and innovative trials being run, I became more interested in the programs and activity occurring across Victoria and became increasingly involved.

There are a lot of similarities with my role at Melbourne Water and the role at IWN. I see this as an opportunity to extend some of the great work we do with others in the industry and leverage IWN’s platform, programs and trials to advance innovation across our organisation.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH US?

For the industry: I think IWN presents a unique platform to foster collaboration and solve common challenges. I’m keen to explore how digital technology can increase engagement with IWN and improve how we share knowledge across the industry.

For me personally: As a career technologist, IWN presents an opportunity for me to gain perspective of the broader challenges facing modern water authorities and expand my network of industry professionals.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?

My role is diverse, challenging and rewarding and I have the pleasure of working with a great team of talented people. It’s great to be able to make a difference for our business, the industry and the people of Melbourne.

Also, I have an automated routine which switches on the lights, plays music and opens my blinds each morning - that forces me to rise for the day.