Now

What Simon is focused on right now.

📝

This page is inspired by Derek Sivers’ now page movement. It’s a snapshot of what I’m working on, learning, building, and thinking about.

💼 Work

I’m leading Workflow Engineering at Pax8, focused on turning AI and automation from impressive demonstrations into dependable operational capability.

The work is about building systems that safely change how work happens: platforms, patterns, governance, measurement, and adoption. I’m especially interested in the space between human judgement, business process, and software engineering.

The questions I keep coming back to are simple:

  • Did this reduce work, or just move it?
  • Is the outcome repeatable?
  • Can we measure the improvement?
  • What new failure modes have we introduced?
  • Does this make the organisation more capable?

🚀 Side Projects

I’m still involved with 1310 ISP, supporting Matt as he continues to grow a disciplined, profitable, self-funded infrastructure business.

I’m also developing the idea of School in the Woods: a forest school / alternative provision project for children who need something different from the standard school environment.

This site, sjg.io, remains my place to test ideas, write things down, and make sense of what I’m learning.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Life

I live in Hampshire with my wife and two daughters.

Family life keeps me grounded and heavily shapes what I care about: education, confidence, neurodiversity, practical learning, outdoor time, and building environments where children can feel safe and capable.

I’m also continuing as a school governor, with a particular interest in SEN, collaboration between schools, and schools as communities.

📚 Learning & Exploring

Right now I’m thinking a lot about the difference between:

  • agents and automation
  • productivity and capability
  • demos and operating models
  • leadership intent and operating rhythm
  • schooling and learning

I’m also still drawn to the things that make systems tangible: networks, aviation, Linux, music, photography, radio, infrastructure, and the craft of understanding how things really work.

🔮 Coming Up Next

More focus on Workflow Engineering, operational AI, writing, 1310, School in the Woods, and spending intentional time with family and outdoor projects.