Simon Read
About Simon Read
Simon Read serves as the Director and Head of Business Unit for Public Safety & Security at Saab in the UK, where he has worked since 2015. He oversees a diverse team and has played a significant role in implementing Saab's SAFE solution across multiple control rooms.
Work at Saab
Simon Read has held the position of Director and Head of Business Unit for Public Safety & Security at Saab since 2015. In this role, he oversees a diverse team that includes software developers, product specialists, project managers, and commissioning and support engineers. He has played a significant role in securing a procurement framework worth up to £400 million created by Cheshire Police for Saab's SAFE solution. Additionally, he has been a Board Director at Saab UK Ltd since 2018, further contributing to the company's strategic direction in the UK market.
Previous Experience
Before joining Saab, Simon Read worked at APD Communications in various roles, including Operations Manager from 2004 to 2008, Head of Product Management & Marketing from 2008 to 2012, and Business Development Director from 2012 to 2014. He also served as Head of Product Strategy for Control Rooms at Arqiva from 2014 to 2015. His career began in the Royal Navy, where he served as Chief Petty Officer - Artificer in Communications and Electronic Warfare from 1995 to 2004.
Contributions to Public Safety Solutions
Simon Read has been instrumental in deploying Saab's SAFE solution across 12 control rooms, which supports over 500 control room workstations and more than 8,300 mobile applications on officers' smartphones. He has also been involved in securing long-term contracts with multiple UK police forces, including Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, for the SAFE solution, enhancing public safety and operational efficiency.
Focus on Software Solutions
In his current role at Saab, Simon Read focuses on introducing advanced software solutions into the UK and Ireland markets. His primary emphasis is on the SAFE mission-critical control room solution, which is designed to improve communication and coordination among public safety agencies. This focus aligns with Saab's commitment to delivering innovative technology for enhanced public safety.