Simon is co-founder and partner in Best Practice AI, an AI management consultancy that works with executives to help create competitive advantage with AI. He is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global AI Council and holds a degree in Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
Simon has over 20 years of international CEO, GM and CDO experience leading the digital transformation and innovation of organisations through technology, data science and AI. Early in his career he co-founded the MapQuest.com service, one of the early internet brands that used advanced decision algorithms. As Chief Digital Officer, he led the digital transformations of Dex Media, a Carlyle directory and local marketing services company, and European Directories where he grew digital revenues to €300M. Most recently he was interim CDO and CMO at Bowers & Wilkins and prior to that he was CEO of HomeAdvisor Europe, an IAC company transforming the home services space. Earlier in his career he consulted or worked for brands including AOL, Charles Schwab and Accenture.
Simon is very active in early-stage innovation and start-ups as Co-President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of London, an advisor and former venture partner with DN Capital, and an AI EIR at Seedcamp.
Simon is a dual UK and US citizen with nearly 15 years working in the US. He holds a MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA in Computing & Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sussex.
I am a compliance and enforcement expert who specialises in pragmatic compliance solutions and efficient enforcement outcomes. I specialise in compliance issues arising from data privacy, financial crime and financial regulation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Having acted as a regulator with the UK Financial Services Authority and as a Chief Compliance Officer for FTSE and NYSE-listed international businesses, I provide clear guidance on compliance solutions and response to enforcement enquiries and proceedings.
My experience includes guiding companies through significant and material enforcement investigations. I hold Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe) status (CIPP/E) and help companies within and outside of the EU understand the requirements of the GDPR. I have a special focus on assisting US companies implement the requirements of GDPR and other UK and EU laws and regulations. I focus on data privacy and information security. I have a keen interest in cyber security and privacy by design. In my spare time I am studying for a Masters of Computer Science in Software Engineering at Oxford University, specialising in Software and Systems Security.
My expertise includes assessing compliance risk (including in connection with mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures), implementing and integrating compliance programmes, leading compliance investigations involving over 70 countries and responding to regulators and law enforcement bodies. I represent companies and individuals in matters before the UK authorities (Financial Conduct Authority and Serious Fraud Office) and US authorities (Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Commodity Future Trading Commission).
I frequently speak on compliance and enforcement topics, particularly GDPR implementation, privacy and data protection issues for cross-border investigations, financial crime, the UK Bribery Act, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, director and officer liability, and compliance programme design, implementation and monitoring. I have been quoted in numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal and Global Investigations Review.
I am a member of the NY Bar and a solicitor of England and Wales. I am a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, American Bar Association, International Bar Association and the Financial Services Lawyers Association. I am a judge for the Women in Compliance Awards and have been shortlisted for Mentor of the Year 2018.