Q&A with Simon Braithwaite

DIGEST | ISSUE 20
Simon Braithwaite
Senior Vice President
Q&A
with Simon Braithwaite
Simon Braithwaite, Quantum
Damages and Delay Expert,
recently joined Driver Trett
as one of the two, Senior
Vice Presidents of our new
office in New York City.
In this Q&A we ask how he
has found starting a new role
during a pandemic; what has
been the greatest influence
on his career; and what
makes him tick.
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Digest: Hi Simon, how are you?
Simon: I got in to disputes by
Digest: What has been the best
Digest: How have you found
Thanks for taking the time to talk to
the Digest. I bet the last couple of
months have been rather busy for
you.
Simon: Thanks for giving me the
opportunity to speak to you. It has
been a rather hectic time, but it is
all good and a positive part of the
challenge.
accident really. After my degree,
and some construction experience,
I was interviewed by Steve Driver at
BWSICC (now Driver Group). At the
time, I really didn’t know what I was
getting in to, but it’s 20 years later
and I have come full circle.
moment of your career?
Simon: I think two moments need
a mention.
1. Moving to the USA almost 20
years ago (which is a story of
its own). My wife and I sold our
possessions, house, got married
and took a chance moving here. I
remember the plane taking off and
thinking “what the hell have I just
done?”
starting a new job during lockdown?
Simon: It has been a bit of a
challenge, there is no doubt about
that. It would be beneficial if we
could meet with the group and
clients, etc., face to face, but, as
with most things, you find a way
around a situation.
Thankfully,
everyone has remained healthy,
and hopefully it stays that way!
Digest: What is your role at Driver?
Simon: I’m one of the Senior
Vice Presidents, based in the new
office in New York. I am responsible
for developing the practice here
and providing clients with advice,
along with services related to their
problem projects.
Digest: How did you get into the
industry and how did you get to
where you are today?
Digest: Who has been the greatest
influence on your career?
Simon: That is a tough question.
There are many people I could
mention, college lecturers, people
I have worked with, clients and
friends in the industry who I still
take advice from. But, I would have
to say my parents. They put me
through university and remain a
positive influence, and even though
I live overseas, I still speak to them
most days.
2. This opportunity. It is a great
opportunity to promote Diales
and Driver Trett in the Americas
region. Personally, I think the level
of services provided will be well
received. Guaranteed, I will do my
best to make it successful.
Digest: What makes you tick?
Simon: Work.
I really appreciate going back to
UK each Christmas to see family,
and I often take my son to watch
Manchester City – he has a much
more enjoyable experience than I
did going to Maine Road!
Digest: Tell us a little-known fact
about you.
Simon: I love to BBQ (you
can’t really do that so much in
Manchester), and I do have some
hair, which is apparently turning
grey!
I enjoy meeting clients, being part of
a team helping to resolve complex
issues, and leaving clients happy.
In my free time I enjoy being with
my family, and also playing football;
although each season my recovery
time is getting longer.
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