About Simon

I’m a Technical Solution Architect and Consultant with over 20 years of experience designing, developing, and implementing robust, scalable IT solutions across diverse industries. Currently working as Resident Architect at Grid Dynamics, I specialize in SAP Commerce Cloud (Hybris), composable architecture transformations, and enterprise integrations.

My consulting work through Storizzi encompasses comprehensive solution design—from recommending and validating composable architectures to architecting replacement solutions for search, storefront, and cloud migration strategies. We also offer CopyBake, our flagship AI-powered product copy generation tool that helps enterprises create SEO-optimized, brand-specific content while preserving brand equity across multi-brand catalogs. I focus on transforming monolithic systems into scalable cloud-based architectures while maximizing leverage from existing platforms.

This site’s designed to be a springboard to my various projects including professional work, open source contributions, fiction writing, and other creative endeavors.

Where I Am Now

I originate from the UK, but now live in France in a town called Nontron in the Dordogne with my wife Pat, our two poodles and two cats. The pandemic brought a new reality when it hit Pat hard, and with the support of the corporation I worked for, I transitioned from the UK to a French part of the company to help support her with the after-effects of Covid.

My Journey

I’ve been a keen developer since the age of eleven, when I had my own paid home computer user club in the UK, sold software, and wrote programs for small businesses in my later teens to scratch that computing and entrepreneurial itch. I was told I had to go to college to get a job in IT, so I did.

A few jobs in after college, I found that this wasn’t actually true in all companies, so was a bit annoyed about ‘wasting’ three years. But in retrospect, the three years held value that I hadn’t foreseen - mostly relating to the non-educational aspects! I’m a great believer in education. I’m just not convinced about how we’re told it should be delivered or instigated.

I typically challenge myself to understand different aspects of technology, having worked variously as Help-Desk Coordinator, Developer, ScrumMaster, Technical Architect, Practice Lead, and Product Manager at companies including:

Current Role: Grid Dynamics (2023-Present) - Resident Architect, SAP Commerce

  • Guiding large retail brands through architectural evolution and composable commerce transformation
  • Leading end-to-end delivery of new systems from PoC through to go-live
  • Architecting LLM-based solutions including our CopyBake AI product copy generator for operational efficiency
  • Providing expert consultancy across fashion, medical instruments, B2B commerce, and energy sectors

Previous Experience:

  • Keytree/Deloitte (2019-2022) - Senior Technical Consultant on large-scale cloud transformations
  • SAP (2013-2015) - Product Manager for B2C Accelerator and Professional Services Consultant
  • Various consulting roles with major brands including Wilko, TJX, Gucci, Hello Fresh, Boston Scientific

I hold certifications including SAFe 5 Agilist, Certified ScrumMaster, and Hybris Core Developer.

Neurodiversity & Personal Context

Neurodiversity features strongly in my life - I have autism - and have been on a voyage of discovery for some time as I’ve been diagnosed for over ten years now, and had an inkling since childhood. I have learned various strategies for balancing my autistic and non-autistic traits over the years - a good proportion early on where I learned to embrace change until it became normal. That’s served me well.

Writing & Other Interests

I have a strong interest in independent publishing, and in this vein, have four series of books in various states of draft - first book is in edit so should be coming out later this year.

Today, it’s much the same as when I was in my teens, but with extra grown-up things to think about as well.

A Bit of History

The original site (updated between 1998 and 2008) is still there on wayback machine - I took it down some time around 2010 because it hadn’t been updated in a few years and still used flash animations! Still - it’s a good way of getting an insight into my interests back then.

Other Projects

You might also be interested in:

  • Infinikan - My structured life management system specifically designed to help people with ADHD navigate daily challenges through an organized approach
  • CopyBake - AI-powered product copy generation that preserves brand equity while enhancing SEO performance
  • UsefulWebTools.com - A collection of 21+ web-based tools for developers and content creators

Let’s Connect

If you’d like to know what I’m up to at the moment, then catch me on my now page.

This site is built with Hugo and the PaperMod theme, customized with an orange and dark color scheme. You can find the source code on GitHub.