Irwin Bennett

Strategy, Transformation & PMO Leader

Doha, Qatar

About

Strategic digital transformation leader with over 35 years of international experience bridging engineering, operations, and technology to modernize public infrastructure and government services. Based in the GCC since 2010, I have led national-scale programs that integrate operational technology, enterprise systems, and data governance to enhance performance, transparency, and institutional capability. My experience spans digital strategy, IT/OT integration, enterprise architecture, analytics, and Digital Twin deployment – including the design and commissioning of Qatar’s Drainage Networks Management Center (DNMC) and the Integrated National Water Resource Database (INWRD). I have developed reusable frameworks such as the Water Networks Manager Blueprint, IWRM Blueprint, and Digital Transformation Ecosystem to strengthen delivery assurance, standardize governance, and accelerate digital maturity across utilities and government agencies. Chartered Engineer (CEng), PMP, and MBA (Warwick), combining technical depth, delivery discipline, and strategic insight across digital transformation, data and systems integration, and enterprise modernization.

Experience

  • Stantec (Doha, Qatar)
    • Regional Lead - Digital Water
      Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Engaging with utilities and government agencies across the GCC to understand their digital priorities and challenges, identifying opportunities to standardize proven approaches and develop reusable frameworks – encompassing Digital Transformation, Water Networks Management, and Integrated Water Resource Management – to strengthen delivery assurance, enhance data governance and interoperability, accelerate implementation, and provide a structured pathway to digital maturity.

    • Delivery Manager
      Mar 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 4 mos

      Delivered Qatar’s national Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) platform, unifying water-related data from national agencies and utilities into a single Azure-hosted information architecture supporting the Qatar National Water Strategy. Established cross-agency data-exchange standards and governance mechanisms for interoperability and trust. Implemented automated data collection, QA/QC pipelines, interactive Power BI dashboards, KPI monitoring, and Water Balance Modelling for forecasting and scenario analysis, and oversaw stakeholder onboarding, training, and operational readiness.

    • Principal Consultant, Information and Communications Technology
      May 2014 - Mar 2023 · 8 yrs 11 mos

      Led a multi-year program for Qatar’s Public Works Authority to modernize O&M across wastewater, recycled water, and surface and groundwater networks. Unified IT and OT environments into an integrated O&M ecosystem incorporating Digital Twin capabilities that enabled real-time visibility, coordinated control, and predictive analytics – strengthening decision-making, operational performance, and institutional capability. Strategy & Governance: Developed the Digital Strategy, Implementation Roadmap, and 25-year Vision; defined sequencing, integration, and data governance frameworks across the O&M ecosystem. Architecture, System Integration & Digital Twin: Led the design and commissioning of the DNMC facility, defining layout and building-system integrations to align the built environment with operational objectives; managed procurement and integration of core enterprise and operational systems, including SCADA, CRM, EAM, GIS, Fleet, Document, and Hydraulic-Modelling solutions, together with supporting subsystems for decision support, data archiving, cybersecurity, change control, communications, and network management. Unified all components under a common digital architecture governed by DNMC Standards to deliver a live Digital Twin supporting operational forecasting, scenario analysis, and event management. Resilience & Operations: Introduced Information Security and Business Continuity Management Systems (ISMS/BCMS) and an Azure-hosted-based disaster-recovery (DNMC-DR) solution with enterprise-grade cybersecurity and redundancy. Process & Capability: Automated workflows for operations, incident response, and FIFA World Cup 2022 coordination; designed structured training and workforce plans to embed new systems, roles, and KPIs – enabling sustained operational maturity and transforming operations from reactive to proactive, data-driven management

  • Project Manager at Etisalat
    Jan 2014 - Apr 2014 · 4 mos

    Developed organizational improvement plans for Etisalat's Network Operations and Maintenance Center in Ajman and its Consumer Services Operations Center in Dubai.

  • Head of Services Operational Quality, Global Services at Nokia Siemens Networks
    May 2011 - Jan 2013 · 1 yr 9 mos

    Led a global team of regionally-based services operational quality managers focused on improving operational effectiveness and efficiency.

  • Motorola Home & Networks Mobility (20 yrs 11 mos)
    • Director of Quality, Global Services
      Jul 2009 - Apr 2011 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Led Quality, Excellence and Lean Six Sigma for Global Services.

    • Director of Quality, Europe Middle East and Africa
      Jan 2007 - Jun 2009 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Led Quality, Excellence and Lean Six Sigma and for Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

    • Principal Program Manager
      Jan 2005 - Dec 2006 · 2 yrs

      Led a multi-organization, cross-functional team in the development of new Motorola CDMA base stations.