Mark Smethurst

Mark Smethurst is a senior executive leader with experience in large and diverse teams within Australia and overseas.

He has commanded at all levels including Squadron in the Special Air Service Regiment, the Special Forces Training Centre, the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Deputy Commander of Australian Special Forces Command. He commanded the NATO Special Forces in Afghanistan and was the deputy chief of operations for the United States Special Operations Command. Prior to leaving the Australian Defence Force in March 2017, Mr Smethurst was the head of preparedness and director general of joint force analysis where he was responsible for developing futures concepts, experimentation, lessons and preparedness.

Mr Smethurst has been a non-executive director of ASX-listed defence manufacturing company XTEK and defence technology company Kord, an advisory board member of the Global SOF Foundation in the US, and chair of the Commando Welfare Trust.