“Learn Something New Every Day.”

David G. Simpson is a seasoned global technology leader whose four-decade career spans the evolution of modern enterprise IT, the rise of cloud computing, and the transformative shift toward digital business models. Guided by the simple yet profound personal motto, “Learn Something Every Day,” he has built a legacy rooted in curiosity, integrity, and an unrelenting commitment to helping organizations achieve sustainable, profitable growth. Simpson’s professional journey reflects not only exceptional operational and commercial leadership, but also a deep belief in empowering people, modernizing complex businesses, and shaping the future of technology-driven enterprises.

Simpson began his career at IBM, where he steadily advanced through increasingly complex leadership roles across sales, operations, finance, and general management. These early years provided the foundational expertise that would define his career: an ability to diagnose business challenges quickly, architect solutions at scale, and rally teams around ambitious transformation initiatives. His ascent into senior executive ranks was marked by a reputation for restoring underperforming operations while building high-performing, mission-driven teams.

As Vice President of Business Transformation Outsourcing for IBM’s Industrial Sector, Simpson helped scale a post-acquisition startup into a mature, global organization. Over the course of five years, he signed roughly $3B in new business across 20 major clients, achieved 16 consecutive quarters of revenue growth, and drove a notable margin expansion. His leadership not only stabilized the business but positioned it as a core growth engine within IBM’s transformation services ecosystem. This success led to high-profile follow-on roles overseeing engineering solutions, hardware sales, and complex outsourcing portfolios.

One of Simpson’s most impactful leadership assignments came when he assumed responsibility for IBM’s struggling $1B Industrial Sector within Global Technology Services. Facing a decade of revenue decline and eroding client trust, he launched an aggressive turnaround focused on cultural reset, delivery modernization, sales rigor, and customer advocacy. Under his guidance, the division achieved 15% revenue growth, more than 50% profit expansion, and a backlog exceeding $3B. This turnaround became widely recognized inside IBM as a blueprint for reviving challenged service organizations.

Simpson later led IBM’s North American cloud services business, where he oversaw the rapid expansion of IaaS and PaaS offerings during a pivotal period in cloud adoption. His leadership drove more than 65% revenue growth, 100% signings growth in direct channels, and the launch of new digital routes to market. By scaling a high-performance culture and accelerating IBM’s move toward an “as-a-service” delivery model, he helped position the company for future competitiveness in the hyperscaler era.

As Worldwide Vice President of IBM Cloud Platform, Simpson owned the P&L for a ~$1.5B global business comprising infrastructure, developer services, object storage, VMware offerings, and emerging technologies such as blockchain. He reengineered the go-to-market model, strengthened consumption frameworks, and drove more than 25% revenue growth alongside a 40% expansion of enterprise client adoption. His leadership was instrumental in reenergizing IBM’s relevance within the fast-accelerating cloud platform landscape.

Following his tenure at IBM, Simpson joined Kyndryl as Senior Vice President and Global Cloud Leader, overseeing a ~$6B cloud practice across technical sales, consulting, platform engineering, and hyperscaler alliances. He integrated strategic acquisitions, repositioned the practice up the technology stack toward higher-value services, and delivered more than 40% growth in platform engineering and consulting. Under his leadership, signings increased by more than 30%, customer satisfaction strengthened, and Kyndryl’s cloud capabilities expanded substantially across global markets.

Throughout his career, Simpson has demonstrated a rare ability to thrive in both startup and enterprise environments. He has led turnarounds, built new digital businesses from the ground up, guided major acquisitions, and piloted organizations through cultural and technological reinvention. His expertise spans cloud transformation, high-growth sales models, operational restructuring, and large-scale global delivery. But equally important is his people-first leadership philosophy, which emphasizes mentorship, accountability, and the belief that high trust and continuous learning are prerequisites for exceptional performance.

Beyond his commercial achievements, Simpson is widely respected for his global perspective and cross-cultural leadership. With extensive international exposure—particularly in Europe—with fluency in English and limited in French, he has led teams across continents and navigated complex multinational business environments. His worldview is shaped by decades of working with clients and partners on the forefront of digital transformation and by a deep personal desire to contribute meaningful value long after formal retirement.

Today, Simpson seeks opportunities to apply his accumulated wisdom in advisory or board roles, where he can help organizations grow, adapt, and succeed amid rapid technological change. After two attempted retirements, he remains driven by intellectual curiosity and a passion for guiding leaders through the challenges of scale, disruption, and modernization. His ultimate goal is to add measurable strategic value while helping the next generation of technology and business leaders flourish.

Character:
David embodies integrity, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility that has guided him throughout his 40-year career. He consistently demonstrates humility, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for clients, teams, and organizations. His leadership inspires trust and reflects a deep personal belief in continuous learning and human potential.

Knowledge:
His expertise spans cloud computing, enterprise services, sales transformation, and large-scale operational management across global markets. David brings decades of firsthand experience guiding organizations through market disruption and technological evolution. His strategic insights are grounded in real-world execution, making him a sought-after advisor for complex business challenges.

Strategic:
David excels at diagnosing business issues, architecting growth strategies, and mobilizing teams toward ambitious goals. He has repeatedly transformed underperforming units into high-growth engines through disciplined planning, clear prioritization, and effective execution. His strategic mindset is complemented by a keen understanding of market dynamics and long-term value creation.

Communication:
Communicating with clarity, authenticity, and purpose, enabling him to connect effectively with stakeholders at all levels. His ability to translate complex technological concepts into actionable business strategies has been central to his success. Whether presenting to boards, engaging clients, or mentoring emerging leaders, his communication style is transparent, engaging, and influential.