Ross Hitt

Ross Hitt is the Chief Executive Officer of SMEC, a professional services firm that has been providing clients with high-quality engineering and development consultancy services for over 40 years. As CEO, Ross is responsible for revenue in excess of $340 million, 4,000 employees and 33 offices throughout Australia, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.
Ross has over 35 years engineering and management experience and has worked in Australia and throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Since joining SMEC in 1981, Ross has held a variety of positions prior to being appointed CEO in January 2009. Ross is a progressive leader who has been instrumental in leading SMEC to become the respected, multinational organisation it is today. An active SMEC Board Director since 1993, and a valuable SMEC Executive Committee member since 2000, Ross has in depth knowledge of SMEC’s operational activities within Australia and internationally.
Prior to becoming CEO, Ross was the Managing Director SMEC International (July 2005 – December 2008). In this role, Ross gained extensive international knowledge and formed close working relationships with International Funding Institutions such as World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, AusAID and United Nations organisations. Under Ross’ management, SMEC’s international business grew by 113% over four years. From 1999-2005, Ross held the position of General Manager International West, where he was responsible for SMEC’s operations in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia and Europe. From 1990-1999, Ross was Regional Manager, South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East as well as being Project Director on several large international infrastructure projects. Prior to 1990, Ross worked on several engineering projects around the world. Ross’ first international project was in 1976, in Kenya, as a Design and Construction Engineer. In 1974, Ross began his career as a Design Engineer.