Our birthday Standards Heroes have been nominated by their peers to represent all our contributors - individuals we consider to be the real heroes of standards, in Australia and internationally. We thank those who contribute their knowledge and expertise, service, and time to Standards Australia for the benefit of the Australian community.  

Adam Beck founded the Smart Cities Council in Australia and New Zealand. He’s been a passionate contributor to standards development since 2016.    

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How did you become involved in standards development? 

In 2016 when I founded the Smart Cities Council in Australia/New Zealand I knew that investing time in the creation of consensus-based standards was going to be a critical enabler for the sector. This was when I first interacted with Standards Australia, advocating the importance of smart cities and communities’ standards. As they say, the rest is history.    

What role have standards played in your career?   

In the late 1990’s when working in the consulting sector I was deep in the discussion around defining, assessing and reporting on the sustainability performance of organisations and projects. At the time I was an accredited environmental auditor and working with AS/NZS ISO 14001 a lot. This is when my passion for standards was cemented. I then spent time with the green building movement, experiencing first-hand the value that standardisation brought to the sector. Each career move I have made subsequently has seen standards underpinning success.

What is a project you’ve been particularly proud to have helped deliver? 

As we know, standards are never finished. However, I have been particularly proud of the collaboration among my peers in shaping the emerging suite of Digital Twin standards.

Outside of standards development, what have been some highlights of your career? 

I really enjoyed my three years living and working in North America, working hands on with neighbourhood development projects pushing the boundaries on collaborative governance and equity and inclusion.

What do you think the future of standardisation looks like? 

Just one word – nimble.

Is there anything you’d like to say or mention about Standards Australia’s centenary year? 

Sometimes we get very passionate about standards, and we must respect the fact that not everyone has the same level of interest, or capability to embrace them.  

Standards Australia is a critical institution for the continued prosperity of the nation, and its role in helping grow the ecosystem of advocates and contributors is essential. This challenge is the nation’s biggest opportunity, and Standards Australia is well placed to enter its next century of work with this front of mind. I cannot wait to be part of that journey.