Gawronsky & Associates

Simon Gawronsky is a results-driven and experienced business and IT leader with over 30 years of expertise directing and managing diverse portfolios, programmes, and projects across various industries. Simon excels in blending business acumen, technical proficiency, and best-of-breed project management methodologies, primarily agile, to consistently deliver programmes with high levels of stakeholder satisfaction. He is skilled in effectively managing risks and tailoring governance frameworks to suit each programme's unique context, ensuring robust controls that are cost-effective and proportionate. Simon possesses extensive technical IT knowledge and a deep understanding of industry best practices, enabling him to optimize business processes and implement the right-sized controls.


Simon is known for building strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and professional settings, facilitating engagement and collaboration. He maintains the highest standards of integrity, governance, and excellence, prioritising risk management, a healthy pragmatism, and leveraging his vast real-world experience in professional services.


Simon has a proven track record leading successful portfolios, programmes, and projects encompassing business transformation, banking, regulatory compliance, business architecture, software development, IT infrastructure, and IT governance. He has made noteworthy contributions at reputable organisations, including IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Software Futures, Xybanetx, The IQ Business Group, Ovations, Silica, Standard Bank, Nedbank, and most recently, Multichoice.

Education from Wits University with a B.Sc., complemented by current certifications in SAFe Lean Portfolio Manager (LPM), SAFe Agilist, PMP (Project Management Professional), and TOGAF Certified Enterprise Architect. Proficient in CObIT (Control Objectives for Information Technology), SPICE (ISO/IEC15504 - equivalent to CMMi), as well as a range of industry best practices and methodologies, including Agile, Lean Engineering, Six Sigma, BPMN, UML, TIBCO, and IBM's Rational products suite (e.g., Rational Unified Process (RUP), Object-Oriented Analysis and Design).


Tel: +44 7521 473 991

Email: simonmgawronsky@gmail.com



Top skills

Simon has been a freelancer at Gawronsky & Associates since December 2022. His expertise lies in technology risk, risk frameworks, financial services, IT risk management, continuous improvement, agile software development, capital projects, business management, agile methodologies, and team leadership. In his role, Simon manages technology risk, implements risk frameworks, and provides IT risk management services. He is also involved in continuous improvement initiatives and agile software development projects. Simon's responsibilities require strong strategic thinking, effective communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Prior to his current role, Simon served as a portfolio manager at MultiChoice Group from May 2022 to November 2022. He delivered two key portfolios within the Group's Technology Modernisation Programme during this time. These portfolios focused on re-architecting and deploying new technology platforms to modernize the group's technology infrastructure. Simon successfully managed a diverse set of stakeholders across the group and led the adoption of the Scaled Agile (SAFe) methodology. He also managed technology risk, engaged with IT business partners, and ensured effective communication and strategic alignment.

From August 2021 to November 2022, Simon worked as a programme director at IoT.nxt, a subsidiary of Vodafone Limited. In this position, he led various initiatives related to technology risk, risk frameworks, IT risk management, continuous improvement, and agile software development. Simon was responsible for overseeing the delivery of programmes and managing a diverse range of stakeholders. His role required strong leadership skills, effective communication, and strategic thinking. He also focused on stakeholder engagement and cross-functional team leadership to ensure successful project outcomes.

Simon has also gained valuable experience as a project manager at Standard Bank Group in June 2015 and at Silica, a subsidiary of Investec Group, from June 2014 to June 2015. At Standard Bank Group, Simon managed process engagements within the Bank's Business Process Improvement (BPI) Division, specifically working on the BCBS239 (Basel III) Regulatory/Compliance Programme. His responsibilities included managing technology risk, implementing risk frameworks, and engaging with stakeholders. At Silica, Simon led the InfoSlips Transition Programme, overseeing the roll-out of a new outsourced, automated correspondence technology to Silica's customers.

Before venturing into freelancing, Simon worked at IBM as a programme manager from August 2009 to February 2014. In this role, he specialized in delivering high-complexity, high-risk, and high-value programmes and projects for IBM customers. Simon managed end-to-end customer engagements, including hardware, software, and professional services. He worked closely with internal departments to ensure compliance with regulations, risk management, and quality assurance. Simon focused on effective stakeholder management, team leadership, and programme and project accounting.

Simon's professional journey also included a tenure at Ovations Group as a principal consultant from September 2008 to July 2009. During this period, he delivered professional process innovation and optimization services to customers, specifically working on re-engineering projects for notable organizations.

With a wealth of experience in various sectors and a proven track record in managing projects, Simon Gawronsky brings valuable expertise and skills to every freelance role he undertakes.