Mark Thomas appointed Smart Cities Council Regional Lead - New Zealand

Washington, DC, 30th January 2025 — Smart Cities Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Thomas to the newly created role of Regional Lead - New Zealand

“Key tenets of Smart Cities Council’s mission are the concepts of ‘Action & Impact for People & Place’ and ‘Think Global. Act Local.’ As our member base, products and services continue to expand at pace, we are not only building hubs in new regions, but also within existing regions,” explained Corey Gray , Chair & President of Smart Cities Council.

“We recognise that every region, country and city is different, whilst sharing many common traits, is inherently different; linguistically, culturally, socially, environmentally and economically. This is why local communities are an essential part of SCC’s activities. I am very pleased to have Mark and Serviceworks joining us in this role.”

An internationally recognised thought leader and practitioner in smart cities, Mark is Managing Director of Serviceworks Group Ltd, which specialises in city improvement practices, enhanced urban mobility, and climate technology solutions. Serviceworks’ engagement with Smart Cities Council will enhance collaboration across local and central government, industry, and the wider innovation ecosystem in New Zealand.

Mark has more than five years of active involvement in the Smart Cities Council in the Asia Pacific region, Mark has a proven track record of advancing regional initiatives. Most recently, he co-led the development of a climate technology roadmap for the New Government on behalf of NZTech, focusing on the role of technology in New Zealand’s emissions reduction and climate response, particularly in the energy, transport, and agriculture sectors.

“Mark’s credentials are exceptional. He brings extensive public and private sector governance experience to the position, having worked throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He has served on numerous advisory boards and panels, including Smart Cities’ Asia Advisory Board, NZRise and InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa’s Advisory Panel, said Robyn Francis, Smart Cities Council - Asia Pacific Regional Lead.

“He is the current Co-Chair of NZTech’s Sustainability Sub-Board, a founding member of the Smart Cities Council “Future of Place” Taskforce and has authored numerous publications on smart city development, mobility, and climate impact including the first history of the development of Smart Cities in New Zealand.”

"Smart cities are not just about technology—they are about people. I’m excited to bring New Zealand’s unique challenges and opportunities into the global conversation, to foster greater collaboration between local and regional governments and highlighting the role technology can play in advancing infrastructure resilience and sustainability," added Mark Thomas.

Mark’s leadership has been widely recognised with accolades including the Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to Building Smart Cities and the Asia Smart Cities Excellence Award. He was part of the Top 50 Most Impactful Smart Cities Leaders, and the Climate Technology Road was nominated this year in the Excellence in Sustainability Awards.

As Regional Lead, Mark and Serviceworks expertise be invaluable in promoting city-to-city learning and collaboration, inviting Local and Central Government to engage with Smart Cities Council initiatives by subscribing to activity in the region here: https://zfrmz.com.au/657eKzD0PYnD6PIDfUxg

For further information, please contact:

Robyn Francis | SCC Regional Lead – Asia-Pacific | [email protected]

Mark Thomas | SCC Regional Lead – New Zealand | [email protected]

About Smart Cities Council

Smart Cities Council (SCC) is the world’s largest and longest-running membership-based Social Impact Organisation for Smart Cities, Smart Buildings, and Technology. With operations globally, SCC leads policy and advocacy, and through Global Thought Leaders, Regional Leads, Task Forces, Events, and Partnerships, SCC develops thought leadership, knowledge, playbooks, educational assets, and tools that enable the creation of positive, self-sustaining social, environmental, and economic benefits.