Ben Smith
About Ben Smith
Ben Smith is the Director of Climate and Sustainability Services at Arup, with extensive experience in sustainable development and urban resilience. He has held significant roles at AECOM and Halliburton and is actively involved in various climate and environmental initiatives.
Company
Ben Smith is currently working at Arup, a leading international engineering consulting firm. At Arup, he holds key positions including Director of Climate and Sustainability Services, as well as Director of Integrated City Planning and Climate Services Leader for the UKIMEA region. Based in London, Ben has been with Arup since 2017, where he has been instrumental in contributing to various sustainable and resilient city planning initiatives.
Title
Ben Smith serves as Director, Climate and Sustainability Services at Arup. In his role, he leads the practice focused on climate resilience, sustainability, and related strategies. Additionally, he also holds the position of Director - Integrated City Planning, Climate Services Leader for the UKIMEA region, leveraging his expertise to integrate sustainable development frameworks within urban planning processes.
Previous Experience
Before joining Arup, Ben Smith accumulated substantial experience at AECOM, a global infrastructure firm. From 2014 to 2017, he was the Director of Sustainable Development for DP&E, EMIA, and from 2016 to 2017, served as Director of Sustainable Development for Buildings & Places, UK&I. Ben was also an Associate Director in Australia from 2012 to 2014 and the Regional Director of Sustainability for Building Engineering, UK&I from 2004 to 2012. He commenced his career as a Consultant at Halliburton (Kellogg Brown & Root/KBR) from 2001 to 2004 in Surrey, United Kingdom.
Education and Expertise
Ben Smith holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from the University of the West of England, which he completed in 2000. Prior to that, he achieved A levels from HSDC Alton (1993-1995) and obtained his GCSEs from Weydon County Comprehensive (1990-1993). His academic background in environmental science has equipped him with a solid foundation in understanding environmental issues and sustainability, which he has leveraged throughout his career.
Professional Engagements
Ben Smith actively participates in several professional engagements. He is a steering group member for the UKRI Climate Resilience Programme and a WEF Commissioner for the BioDiverCities by 2030 programme. As a Climate Reality Leader, he advocates for climate change awareness and solutions. Furthermore, he serves as a #GetOutside Champion for Ordnance Survey, promoting outdoor activities and nature engagement. As a Founding Trustee of the National Park City Foundation, Ben also contributes to urban green space initiatives. Additionally, he has been Arup’s global point of contact with C40 Cities, supporting over twenty city strategies on climate change and urban resilience.