EF News
Ahead of his keynote at our upcoming spring conference, Simon Moyle, high-growth leader and former CEO of Vivup, shares all.
What was your first job?
After flipping burgers and cleaning tables at Wet ‘n’ Wild straight after my GCSEs I started as a Christmas temp at PC World as a 17-year-old. 20 years later I left after a great career which saw me move across the North East running PC World and Currys stores, across the country and then into head office building their business-to-business division.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I was a qualified lifeguard.
Who, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?
Eddie Howe, a fantastic leader who like me likes to get the most from people and given the recent cup win it would be great to hear his thoughts.
What are you most proud of?
My children are my biggest achievement. In a work context I am proud of being able to build the teams and success I have though amazing the people that I have been able to coach, mentor and develop. I have loved watching their careers and personal lives grow over time and I love catching up with a lot of them regularly.
How do you unwind/deal with stress?
Holidays and experiences. I have never been bothered by possessions and have always spent most of my disposable income on going away with family and friends. I love travelling the world with my wife as I am now on my ‘adult gap year’ as well as taking mates to the football to see Newcastle United win.
If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
I wouldn't use it. The past is the past and everything we do makes us who we are today so even the bad bits, and the mistakes are important so I wouldn't want to risk any change – we have all seen Back To The Future after all! And I like surprises so wouldn't want to know what the future holds.
What is your biggest fear?
Other than snakes and confined spaces I don't really fear much – if you can't control something it's pointless being bothered by it, so I guess lack on control is my fear.
