At the Plumbing Industry Awards hosted on 18 September 2025, a special announcement was made – the introduction of the IOPSA Legends, an award introduced to honour the legendary figures in the industry. These individuals were awarded a belt with a one-of-a-kind buckle, inscribed with their name and a serial number. They were also asked to sign their names in the IOPSA book – an immortalisation in IOPSA’s hall of fame. Here, we profile Lea smith, an IOPSA legend.
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Lea Smith has been involved in the Plumbing Industry since he was young – his father was a plumber and he would do odd jobs with him to earn pocket money in school. He finished his Construction Management degree in 1995, after which he started his own business. After starting his business, he started the process of getting is plumbing qualification, which was around 2007.
When asked about the value that IOPSA offers to him as a member, Lea states “The value of IOPSA lies in consumer confidence. You cannot buy consumer confidence – you can only earn it. Being part of IOPSA means more than belonging to an association; it means living by, and being held accountable to, a set of codes and values not defined by yourself, but by your peers. For me that brings accountability, builds trust with consumers, and strengthens the credibility of your services.”
We asked, what does the Legend Award mean to you?
“For those who know me, I am not big on awards or titles. I do what I do because I want to make a difference and certainly not for the accolades, and I believe a title does not make a person – it is the person who gives meaning to the title. I would rather be remembered for what I have done and the legacy I leave behind. That said, I am deeply honoured that my peers have chosen to recognise me in this way, for upholding the values of the trade and contributing to its growth.”
Lea Smith – IOPSA Legend. Supplied by Lea smith
| Lea’s advice to plumbers
For plumbers: Knowledge is power – and that power is in your hands. I have been successful across many businesses not because of luck, but because, as Gary Player said, “the more I practice the luckier I get” – the more knowledge I have, the luckier I get. How? By constantly learning, gaining knowledge, and then applying it. The same applies to anybody including the plumbers: the more you learn, the more control you have over your work, your business and your future. For the youngsters: Don’t chase the money. Chase experience. Bank expertise. Money will follow, but experience and skills are what pay dividends for the rest of your life. |
Source: Supplied by Lea Smith
