David Collett is a seasoned Civil Engineer and Business Leader with over 35 years’ experience in consulting and construction, bringing expertise in people leadership, business strategy, and large-scale project delivery. His background includes an impressive tenure as State Manager at SMEC, where he led over 600 staff across Victoria and Tasmania, overseeing complex infrastructure projects and building high-performing teams.
As Company Secretary for SMEC Australia Pty Ltd, David was an integral part of the Australian Executive Management team and represented SMEC on the Consult Australia Board, where he chaired the State Committee during the challenging COVID-19 period. Known for his commitment to industry development, he currently chairs the Industry Advisory Committee for Monash University’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
A passionate mentor and educator, David is actively involved in training and development, supporting future engineers through guest lectures at Monash University on topics such as Project Management, Engineering Quality Systems, and Safety. David’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture drives his mission to support the success and growth of those he leads, while focusing on key industry priorities like gender diversity and climate action.Director, Victoria and South Australia