Ray Smith

Ray Smith is a highly experienced Aquatics Facility Manager with over 30 years of expertise managing swim schools across Australia, including operations in QLD, SA, Vic, and the NT. His extensive career spans the private, not-for-profit, and local government sectors.

Ray’s career began in the creative design industry, providing a strong foundation for his strategic marketing approach. Coupled with his expertise in operational data insights, he has a proven history of delivering innovative growth and retention strategies within competitive markets. Notably, he managed the facility awarded the inaugural Life Saving Victoria Swim and Survive Swim School of the Year in 2012.

Ray currently serves as a Board Director for Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV), the state’s peak industry body. This position affords him a strategic, high-level perspective on the industry’s future direction. Furthermore, in his current role overseeing management contracts for six Aquatic Facility Operators for the City of Greater Bendigo providing a deep and practical understanding of diverse swim school operating models.

Ray’s passion is for the industry to better use behavioural insights to transform how swim schools market and retain students.