Drapers 30 Under 30 2018: Simon Lockyer, software engineering manager, Arcadia Group

What he’s learnt: “Empower your team and bring them up with you.”

Described by Arcadia’s head of software engineering John Pillar as a “true leader of the future”, Simon Lockyer has had a tangible impact on the business since joining last year.

“Simon has transformed his function in a short space of time, attracting praise from senior stakeholders and building levels of trust between the technology and digital teams that previously did not exist,” says Pillar.

A high-pressure start to Lockyer’s career, at advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi, proved a vital learning experience. Already balancing a heavy workload and tight deadlines on very little sleep, in 2014 he was asked to move into a more senior position on the team.

“Although it was unbelievably testing, that early effort has been one of the best things I have ever done for my career,” he explains.

His ultimate ambition is to become a chief technology officer, something Pillar agrees is well within his reach.

Meanwhile, Lockyer’s passion lies in the ever-changing and increasingly important world of digital innovation: “The advances in technology are huge, and there’s still so much to be explored, especially in physical stores.”

Career path: 

2017 Software engineering manager, Arcadia Group

2016 Head of development, KHWS

2015 Lead front end developer, KHWS

2014 Lead front end developer, Saatchi & Saatchi

2013 Front end developer, Saatchi & Saatchi