Meet the judges—Simon Maskrey

In our Meet the judges series, we’ll be chatting to some of the cloud tech experts on our judging panel to find out more about their experience, their passion for cloud tech, and what they’re making a beeline for at the awards ceremony buffet… 

Simon Maskrey is Global Partner Manager for Trailhead at Salesforce.

As Global Partner Manager for Trailhead, Salesforce’s training and certification organization, Simon is responsible for Trailhead Academy Authorised Training Provider program.

Simon has 30 years of multi-national experience within the IT training industry, in a number of cross-functional leadership positions for organizations such as Sun Microsystems, Oracle and Avid Technologies.

We caught up with Simon about all things cloud, awards, and secret talents.

Which category are you most looking forward to judging and why?

Clearly, as a Salesforce employee, I’m excited about the opportunity to review the nominations for the Outstanding Contribution to the Salesforce Ecosystem award as there is such innovation, passion and collaboration across the Salesforce community of customers, partners and individuals, Trailblazers all.

However, there are a range of award categories, such as Tech Star of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion Employer of the Year and Excellence in Learning and Development that I’m really looking forward to seeing.

In particular, the Tech for Good award for me is an opportunity to recognise how cloud technology can be used for so much more than business, as it has the power to change peoples lives and make the world a better place.

What makes a great nomination? What kind of thing will catch your eye?

I’ve judged a few awards in the past, and sometimes there are nominations which I’ve read several times and still end up unsure what it was about. What was achieved and did it make a difference? It certainly should not represent ‘business as usual’.

For me, a great nomination has to show that there is a clear objective they are trying to achieve, be that a problem that needs resolving, or an opportunity realised.

It should be innovative, simple in concept and application, and it should demonstrate outstanding teamwork and collaboration with measurable impact, be that for the business, customers, or for the greater good of others.

How has cloud technology made an impact on your life, or within your business?

I think now more than ever, as we continue to chart a recovery from the pandemic, we can see how despite the incredible challenges we have all faced, that many of us (and I completely acknowledge not all) were able to continue working, studying and keep in contact with those we love and care about thanks to cloud technology.

Cloud technology enabled my partner and myself to keep working. I was able to see and speak to my Mum virtually in her care home and we were able to laugh with friends in Zoom cocktail evenings.

For me a great nomination has to show that there is a clear objective they are trying to achieve, be that a problem that needs resolving, or an opportunity realised.

Simon Maskrey

Global Partner Manager for Trailhead
Salesforce

My two daughters were able to continue their University studies online and even video chat with me (occasionally!). My son, a youth gymnastics coach, was still able to run basic conditioning training, wellbeing and motivational sessions with his squad, keeping them positively minded and gainfully engaged in activities rather than just school work.

Cloud technology enabled us to still do the important things in life that make us human.

Are there any events or performances from the cloud tech space that have wowed you in the past year?

Salesforce’s customer showcase event every year since 2003 is Dreamforce, where our community of customers, partners and employees come together to learn, collaborate, build the community and have fun. The last Dreamforce I attended had over 170,000 attendees!

Obviously, Dreamforce didn’t happen in 2020. However, Salesforce was determined to make Dreamforce happen this year, and so in September an amazing hybrid event was created.

Several hundred Trailblazers gathered in-person in San Francisco, while over 100 hours of innovative and inspiring content was broadcast to a global viewing audience via Salesforce +, Salesforce’s new streaming service, making it easier to attend such events and collaborate from anywhere.

How important are awards in promoting diversity and inclusion, especially in sectors like tech?

Events such as the Digital Revolution Awards are vital to furthering the critical need for diversity and inclusion in society. It gives a platform for organisations and individuals to demonstrate clearly to others how through diversity and inclusion we can build a workplace that reflects society, and that it isn’t just the right thing to do, but is the smart thing to do.

At Salesforce, we believe diversity and inclusion empowers an innovative and creative environment, we build deeper connections with our customers, partners and society, to ultimately be a better and successful company.

The Digital Revolution Awards enables those organisations and individuals who also believe and act on this to be role models for others to follow.

You're at an awards ceremony; what food are you making a beeline to the buffet table for?

Oh my, don't tempt me!

I do love a good buffet, trying new and different tasty morsels, however I must admit, I'm a bit 'old school', I can't resist a good sausage roll. Maybe it's the memories of Christmas family gatherings when I was young it represents.

I'm not one to pile my plate high, but I will be found making regular visits back to the buffet table, so if you see me doing so please tell me to stop as I do not want to have to go up another trouser size!

Simon Maskrey

Global Partner Manager for Trailhead
Salesforce

How can taking part in events like the Digital Revolution Awards help boost your personal brand?

A submission to the Digital Revolution Awards is a fabulous opportunity to share your achievements and your organisation’s achievements in this rapidly changing digital world with your peers from across the industry.

As a Brit, I know we’re not always comfortable about shouting about our accomplishments, but the Digital Revolution Awards can support establishing credibility through deserved recognition, even if you’re not an award winner. It also allows you to build your personal and professional network; something essential as you develop your career and grow as an individual.

If you were to win an award yourself, perhaps for a secret talent, what would it most likely be?

I like to think of myself as being able to put together a good cocktail.

I was a Cocktail Barman (I think the term is Mixologist these days) when I was studying at University. One of the positives of the pandemic was rediscovering the joys of creating something fabulous, tasty and different from the norm.

A Lemon-drop Martini, or perhaps a Moscow Mule, is a great way to mark the end of the working week and the start of the weekend, though a salt-rimmed Margarita still remains the king of cocktails for me.

Follow the Digital Revolution Awards on Twitter for the latest news and updates.

Meet the judges—Simon Maskrey