Howard Simms

Educated at Leeds and Oxford University, I am one of the founders of Apadmi - one of the UK's leading mobile software development companies working with Dominos, the BBC, Co-op, Argos, Chelsea, and the NHS to name a few, and after 15 years of hard work I exited in December 2023, to explore new interests. Since Apadmi’s formation back in 2009, I have held a senior role in every aspect of building the company - encompassing operations, sales, marketing, strategy and leadership. For many years I was the CEO of Apadmi Ventures, which saw me investing, strategising, and advising highly scalable technology companies, sitting alongside well known business names in each boardroom. Leaning on my 25+ years of technology experience, I look to foster innovation, look at how to make best use of technology to scale, and good business practice to ensure success. Keen to progress my professional development, I was selected to join the highly prestigious Goldman Sachs Ambassadors Programme; a programme for key individuals within the UK's fastest growing organisations. I am also a graduate of the LEAD leadership development initiative. I was incredibly proud to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Manchester Metropolitan University, and yes, I do sometimes use the title 'Dr' :) I sit on the advisory board of the University of Liverpool Management School, and the Manchester Growth Company. When i'm chilling out it's gigs, festivals, travel, sport, and playing guitar .