Employee Spotlight: Simon Mayo

Thanks to the support and opportunities offered by Actemium – combined with his personal drive, natural leadership talent, and continuous skill-building – he’s become a key figure in the Actemium ICS senior team.

We recently caught up with Simon to hear more about his career path, what he enjoys most about his role, and what’s kept him with the business for over 20 years.

Simon, tell us a bit about how your journey with Actemium began and how it’s evolved.

I first joined Actemium back in 2000 through an electrical engineering apprenticeship. It was pretty similar to what our apprentices do now – I started out on the shop floor, getting hands-on experience with panel wiring, which gave me a solid grounding in the manufacturing side of the business.

After a year or two, I moved into the office and got introduced to product engineering and CAD. I spent a couple of years working with CAD and, even now, I can still jump in if the team needs a hand!

After a few years away exploring other opportunities, I came back in 2008. I started off again on the shop floor, but it wasn’t long before I was in the office and picking up CAD where I left off. The business supported me in going back to college to finish my HNC, which I completed around 2014 or 2015. That opened the door to new roles – support engineer, applications engineer, senior engineer – and eventually sector manager – which is the role I am in today.

Your currently look after energy customers for Actemium ICS. What does that involve?

Like colleagues in similar roles, I have a main sector focus – for me, that’s energy, and in particular energy distribution and management for oil & gas and power generation clients. One of the great things about working here though is that we’re not restricted to just one area. I’ve also worked on nuclear and pharmaceutical projects.

For us, it’s always about the top-notch product – whether it’s motor control panels, switchgear, or instrumentation – that’s what really matters. The sector just adds a layer of complexity, specification, or interest, but at the core, we’re delivering the same thing: bespoke, highly engineered LV power and control solutions. That product-first approach is what makes our work so versatile and sets us apart.

What kind of projects do you enjoy most?

Definitely the ones with variety – and we have a fair few of those.

I enjoy projects that take me from electrical design one day to writing a quality plan the next, or from quoting to presenting to a customer. That mix keeps things interesting – and to be honest, most of our projects have that kind of variety built-in.

Over the years, I’ve worked on projects that have gone all over the world – Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, the Middle East, North Africa – and each one has brought its own challenges. Designs often vary depending on the customer, destination and application – for example we’ve built panels to operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -25°C to +50°C. But what stays the same is our approach to getting a deep understanding of the customer needs, engineering a solution that is bespoke to their requirements, and delivering a high performing product backed by excellent project management.

A project that stands out for me over the years was one that was particularly tough – but I learned more from it than any other. It was complex and pushed me technically – which is exactly where the real learning happens.

You’ve been at Actemium for over 20 years now. What’s kept you in the business?

The people – without a doubt.

A lot of us have worked together for over two decades, and during that time, we’ve built real friendships – not just working relationships. That kind of bond makes a huge difference. It creates a trusting and supportive environment where you can rely on each other, and that makes the day-to-day work much easier.

You can’t do everything on your own, and having that trust in the people around you is invaluable. I also think those strong internal relationships are a big part of why the business has been so successful over the years.

How has Actemium supported your professional development? Was career progression always part of your plan?

Absolutely. I knew I wanted to work my way up to a senior position from the start. That goal has always been in the back of my mind, and over the years, I’ve stayed focused on building the experience and skills needed to get there.

The support from Actemium in that respect has been brilliant. For example, when I was offered the chance to go back to college and complete my HNC, there was no hesitation about funding my training — it was simply, “Are you interested? If so, we’ll support you.”

There have always been opportunities for me to develop. While some came about through business needs, I’ve never felt pushed. It’s always been about whether I was willing and ready, and I’ve taken those steps when the time felt right.

Even when moving into more senior roles, the business has trusted me to take on new responsibilities and learn as I go. It’s come with its challenges, but there’s always been a sense of backing — whether through formal training or just giving you the space to grow.

On a personal note, the last 18 months have been really tough, and the support I’ve received from Actemium and the team here has been incredible. It’s meant such a lot!

What qualities do you think are essential to succeed at Actemium and in your business?

First and foremost, you need an eye for detail. Without it, mistakes happen – and in our line of work, that can be very detrimental to a project.

The technical knowledge can be learned, but that attention to detail is crucial. It’s what sets us apart and ensures we maintain our reputation worldwide.

Outside of work, what are your passions?

Sport has always been a big part of my life – especially rugby. I played at a decent level for a local club until a major injury about 10 years ago. These days, I get my joy from watching my son play football – and now rugby too. He’s young, but he’s really enthusiastic. Seeing him enjoy sport and get recognition from others is just as rewarding as playing myself.

I do believe sport has helped me in my professional life – one way or another. Sport teaches you so much about teamwork, discipline, communication, dealing with wins and losses. All of that translates into the workplace perfectly. Whether you’re on the pitch or in the office, those skills are invaluable.

Feel inspired by Simon story? Whether you are considering starting your engineering career or are an experienced professional looking for your next role, we want to hear from you. Check out our Careers Portal for more details.