Simon Gulliford

Simon Gulliford began his career in law. Simon was an academic teaching at business schools before making the decision to change career direction and do something rather more practical when he took up corporate life in the early 90’s.

Today he is chairman of the Hendy Automotive Group, one of the UK’s largest car retailers, turning over in excess of £1 billion. During his career, he has been Chief Marketing Officer of EasyJet, Standard Life, and Barclays. In addition he has also been Marketing Development Director of EMAP, and Strategy & Brand Director of Sears.

His notable achievements include redevelopment and re-launch of the great department store Selfridges, as well as the creation and development of numerous magazines and radio stations suchas to launch magazines such as FHM, Red, and Heat. Simon sits on the board of Aegon plc., and is actively involved today in a variety of business start-ups.

As Group Marketing Director of Barclays PLC and its Group Marketing & Communications Director of UK Banking, he developed their online banking services. As Chief Marketing Officer for Standard Life plc the primary task was leading the creation of their online platform.

Simon has recently delivered major strategy work for BDO, Guardian Media Group, Harper Collins, and Bartle Bogle & Hegarty. At easyJet he has fundamentally relaunched the airline’s online presence and transformed user experiences. Whilst at McDonald’s he developed the digital loyalty programme and online ordering system. And at Worldpay he has created and developed a whole new digital marketing strategy.

In the fintech sector Simon Gulliford has been a Non-Executive Director of BCS and Redgate Software both leaders in the field of database development and secure transaction platforms.

Simon has a strong practical approach, backed by a thorough appreciation of latest analytical techniques.  He is a truly lively and compelling interactive speaker in constant demand on the international conference circuit and at European business schools.