Simon Bliss - New Starter
Simon Bliss - New Starter
Due to the strong growth Platform Smart has seen over the past year we are pleased to announce and welcome its newest team member, Simon Bliss. Simon joins Platform Smart as a Managing Consultant to further strengthen the client-facing teams here at Platform Smart.
Simon has been known to many of the Platform Smart team for some 15 years and has a first-class background in Technology Professional Services, having worked previously at organisations including Dimension Data and Microsoft Consulting Services the latter where he held senior positions including Technology Strategist and Senior Account Executive. With a background in Enterprise Architecture, Technology Strategy and the Cloud Simon brings with him a wealth of experience and credibility.
Although many of you will probably have the chance to have a chat with him at our Associate Event, we thought we’d catch up with Simon so you can get to know him a little.
Can you give us an overview of your career leading up to joining Platform Smart?
My career has been diverse, at times really rewarding, and at other times, really pressurised. It has always had technology at the heart of it, but the working environments have been a mix of finance, global tech, clinical, and still my favourite, aviation. I’m not sure I’ll ever grow out of loving planes.
The other aspect of my diverse career is the scale and nature of the companies I have worked in or for. It has ranged from small start-ups, established privately owned companies, and up to global behemoths. It has been a mix of environments, including airports, traditional engineering, all-natural/hippie pharmaceuticals, fast-moving technology, slow-moving but global technology, clinical environments, and then in finance, everything from the Bank of England, Fintech through to US investment banking.
So, maybe this means I’ve drifted around for 30 years without focus and direction? Hopefully, it means I’ve gathered some relevant experience and a lot of stories to tell.
What made you want to join Platform Smart?
At the risk of sounding really cringe :¬/ I believe in what Platform Smart is, an honest, transparent company that anchors on a principle, (along the lines of) ‘if you do the right thing, it will always work out in the best interests of everyone’.
Hopefully some reading this will remember me from my days in Heathrow and Gatwick. Working with the guys in C&C all those years ago was great. The opportunity to do that again was too good to pass on!
What is something that you are looking forward to now that you have joined the team?
It has been fantastic to meet the core team in Platform Smart. Everyone has been so welcoming, positive, and supportive. Next, I am really looking forward to the associate event next week where I start to meet more of our associates and start building new relationships and catching up with old friends too.
Has anything surprised you during your first few weeks with Platform Smart?
This is a tricky question. So, again, at risk of sounding awkwardly positive :¬D. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The journey Platform Smart has been on since its beginning is an amazing story, and what it is today (in my mind) is genuinely unique. So, a small part of me worried, ‘Maybe I’ve missed something?’ I haven’t! It is unique and successful and ‘as described’. This is not really a surprise, but certainly a good thing to discover.
Actually, there is something that has surprised me. Considering how many super intelligent people we have in the organisation; I am surprised how many people favour style and form over function and have a MacBook ;¬) Just kidding!
Give us one interesting fact about yourself we may not already know
This is of course an even harder question than no.4. When I was 12, my dad worked for the owner of the New York Jets, and he took me to a game. The New York Jets is the worst American Football team ever. So, I have endured 38 consecutive years of disappointment, albeit loyal disappointment. I watch every game. It doesn’t matter what the other team scores, if we don’t score zero, we’ve won! :¬o
Want To Catch Up?
Let’s Grab A Coffee
With imminent news of new clients and therefore new opportunities on the horizon, we're eager to engage with our associates who are interested in sharing updates on their availability and current circumstances. Whether it's a casual catch-up and an opportunity to get an update on all things Platform Smart, or a focused discussion on new opportunities or subjects highlighted in our recent newsletters and other communications, we'd love to hear from you.
If you're interested in a catch up, don't hesitate to drop us a message to get something booked in, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!