Simon Calver

Simon Calver is a transformational digital retail leader recognised for scaling high-growth businesses and steering organisations through complex market change. He grew LoveFilm to over 55% UK market dominance before its sale to Amazon, led a major turnaround at Mothercare, and held senior roles at PepsiCo and Dell, combining multinational and entrepreneurial expertise. As Chairman of award-winning companies and faculty member at Meyler Campbell, he coaches leaders whilst maintaining his edge through personal challenges like rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Simon equips audiences with practical strategies for scaling ventures, leading through uncertainty, and building adaptive organisations, delivering grounded wisdom with warmth and accessibility that turns complex business challenges into actionable insight.

When Simon Calver took the helm at LoveFilm, the DVD rental market was fragmented and vulnerable to disruption. Over the next six years, he transformed the company into the UK's dominant player, capturing over 55 per cent market share whilst simultaneously orchestrating a strategic pivot from postal DVDs to streaming video on demand. His foresight in recognising the shift towards digital consumption culminated in the sale of LoveFilm to Amazon in 2011, cementing his reputation as a leader capable of anticipating seismic market changes and executing bold transformations. This defining chapter in his career set the stage for his appointment as CEO of Mothercare, where he confronted one of retail's most challenging turnarounds, closing around 100 stores, saving £13 million annually, and repositioning the brand for a multichannel future.

Simon's career spans both global multinationals and high-growth ventures, equipping him with a rare combination of strategic vision and operational rigour. At PepsiCo, he launched Pepsi Max in the UK and later served as International Vice President of Sales Operations, driving global strategy from the United States. His leadership roles at Dell, where he ran UK and Ireland Consumer and Small Business operations, and at Riverdeep as Worldwide Chief Operating Officer, further developed his ability to scale businesses and navigate complex organisational change. Beyond his executive achievements, Simon has served as Chairman of award-winning businesses including moo.com, Fenwick, Muscle Food, and Firefly Learning, and currently holds a position on the faculty at Meyler Campbell, where he coaches the next generation of business leaders. His commitment to personal challenge was exemplified in 2022 when he completed a 3,000-mile Atlantic rowing expedition for charity, demonstrating the resilience and determination that underpin his professional philosophy.

As a speaker and adviser, Simon equips audiences with practical strategies for scaling businesses, leading through uncertainty, and building organisations that can adapt to rapid market change. His sessions draw on real-world experience from both spectacular successes and hard-won lessons, offering actionable insights on entrepreneurship, strategic innovation, and the human side of leadership. Whether addressing founders navigating growth, executives managing transformation, or teams seeking to embrace change, Simon delivers grounded wisdom with warmth and accessibility. His natural, pragmatic style makes complex business challenges feel manageable, whilst his genuine passion for helping others succeed creates lasting impact long after the event concludes.