Simon Hickmott

Simon has an extensive background in manufacturing, quality and operations leadership, project management and continuous improvement coaching with over 30 years experience with globally recognised packaging, personal hygiene products, FMCG, waste management and construction supply businesses.

Having held operational and board level positions in the UK, Europe, China, South East Asia and Australia, he has established a proven track record of driving sustainable business improvement delivery within single and multi site facilities.

With a strong technical and operations management background, Simon understands the challenge of building a continuous improvement culture alongside managing a fast moving business that is results focused. He has a strong focus on safety and developing relationships built on trust and mutual respect through an open and transparent hands-on coaching style balanced with resilience and practicality. Simon has the ability to work with organisations on a full CI strategy roll out or be deployed to look specifically at key areas where there are issues and improvements needed through a strategic review process.

Project management delivery experience includes major equipment installations, site transformations with process flow optimisation and greenfield manufacturing sites from concept to start-up. Technical experience has been gained through the operation and management of UKAS (NAMAS) accredited research laboratories combined with ISO internal and external auditing.

Simon enjoys working with individuals and teams at all levels in establishing site improvement plans, including Lean coaching and implementation which he gained from facilitation experience with McKinsey and Newleaf consultancies. He has executed both cultural change and embedding of processes across disciplines from shop floor through to warehouse as well as supporting functions such as finance, HR, sales and administration functions supporting a one-team approach to business improvement.

Companies and brands he has in his career portfolio include SCA Packaging and Personal Care Sorbent, Deeko, Tena and Libra, Lion Dairy Masters and Dare and Fletcher Building Laminex and Formica.

Businesses he has been working with and continues to support include Racing & Wagering WA (RWWA), Jason Sign Makers and Australian Clinical Labs (ACL).