‘In a recent One-On-One, I worked with a business facing revenue pressure from stagnant deal sizes and shorter customer projects. Together, we developed new lead generation, an AI-led offering and a strategy to enter North America’s automotive sector. We also paired account managers with lead engineers to identify growth opportunities within key accounts. These initiatives helped revenue grow by 12% the following quarter.‘

Simon Pollard is a business leader, adviser and mentor with global experience in the technology industry. His career spans executive leadership, venture investment and professional services, with senior roles across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. He brings practical experience in growing businesses, leading large teams and managing complex enterprise transformation.

As a Vice President and Global General Manager at IBM, Simon led its financial services business process outsourcing operation, growing the team from approximately 4,000 to 20,000 people. He subsequently managed IBM’s worldwide relationship with HSBC and its relationship with Westpac Group. More recently, he led HCL Software’s Asia Pacific business across a portfolio of more than 20 software product families.

His broader commercial experience includes venture investing at Macquarie Group, leading Technology Partners International’s Asia Pacific business and serving as Chief Commercial Officer at QBiotics. At QBiotics, he raised more than $35 million and negotiated a global distribution agreement that delivered the company’s first product revenue stream. Earlier, he was a Partner and Co-Head of the Technology Law practice at Gilbert + Tobin.

Passionate about sharing his experience with future leaders, Simon is a mentor with MentorList and serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the University of Technology Sydney’s Optik student intern programme. He also runs a private mentoring and advisory practice and frequently speaks on enterprise transformation.

• HCL Software — Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific: Led the regional business across more than 20 software product families.
• IBM — Vice President and Global General Manager: Led global financial services outsourcing operations and major banking relationships, including HSBC and Westpac.
• QBiotics — Chief Commercial Officer: Raised more than $35 million and negotiated a global sales and distribution agreement.
• Macquarie Group — Division Director, Principal Investments: Led venture investments in technology, data and financial services businesses.
• Technology Partners International — Vice President, Asia Pacific: Led the regional business and advised major organisations on complex outsourcing transactions.
• Gilbert + Tobin — Partner and Co-Head, Technology Law: Built and led a dedicated technology law practice.