Simon, (or Hutch – he doesn’t mind which) is Director of Strategy. His role is to work across the senior leadership team, divisional leaders, business development and the office of technology to develop Leidos UK & Europe’s business strategy, growth campaigns and plans.
Simon has extensive knowledge of the MOD, multinationals and wider government having recently retired from a 33.5 year military (Army) career. His last appointment was Director Joint Support, a 2* role for the Ministry of Defence responsible for the end-to-end supply chain, strategic movements, logistic information system architecture and integrated support solutions for major platform acquisition.
Previously, he was head of the Commissioning and Managing Organisation (CMO) responsible for performance and contract managing the £6.5 billion Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) programme delivered by Team Leidos. He also undertook an external industry placement with AECOM as a senior commercial manager working to the SVP for EMEA.
His service in the Royal Logistic Corps included a successful tour as Commanding Officer 17 Port and Maritime Regiment. He has seen active service in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Norway, Canada, Iraq and Kosovo. His service culminated in senior posts as Commander 104 Logistic Support Brigade, and work across Government during the coronavirus pandemic, helping to speedily implement the vital organisational changes required to resolve acute tensions in demand and supply of PPE. Simon was the senior Neuro Diversity Defence Champion (principally for Dyslexia) and a Mission Gender 30 (30% Club) mentor.
During his service he was recognised as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2011 for his work in Afghanistan, having earlier been a Member awarded from the same Order in 2004. He was appointed the Master General of Logistics a titular role as head of the RLC, a position he has now vacated.
