Well, that’s a wrap on 2025 — and what a year it’s been! Fast-paced, people-powered, occasionally spicy (see: team cooking night in Barcelona), and full of the kind of moments that remind us why we do what we do.
So, whether you’re reading this from a comfy chair, an airport lounge, or standing in a queue wondering where your cappuccino has gone — here’s a little look back at what made this year so special for me.
We Grew. A lot.
This year, we welcomed approx. 20 new starters across marketing, project management, professional services, and sales. Each person brought something unique: new ideas, different experiences, and strong (often passionate) views on the best movies, songs, and how to hang your toilet paper.
That last one? It actually sparked a full discussion in Simms Silly Chats—one of our Teams channels where colleagues host monthly challenges like “Tell me something I don’t know about you” or “Guess the movie from one frame.” It might sound silly (and it is), but it’s also how we get to know each other, laugh together, and build real connections—even as a fully remote company.
What I love most? There’s no ‘S&A mold’. We absolutely have an ‘S&A way’ in how we do things, but we don’t do cookie-cutter hiring. Everyone adds their own flavor — and the result is a team that’s more balanced, more creative, and way more fun to work with. Watching this group bond, challenge each other, and have each other’s backs has been one of my proudest moments this year.
Barcelona stole our hearts (and a few culinary egos)
Kicking off the year together in Barcelona was magic. There’s something about stepping away from the day-to-day, being in the same physical room, and realizing that the faces behind the screens are even better in real life.
The highlight? Making our own paellas at a monastery. The setting was stunning, the vibes were high… the culinary results, less so. Let’s just say we won’t be swapping consulting for catering any time soon — but we had an absolute blast trying.
And next up? S&A Global Connect Athens 2026. History, sunshine, and big ideas. The perfect setting to reflect, regroup, and ask the questions that really matter (like: “Where’s the best souvlaki?”).
A Huge Win with Primark
One of the biggest wins of the year came courtesy of our fab partners at Primark, who scooped the UKG Exceptional Implementation Award in Vegas. That’s nine countries live, zero payroll wobbles, and 20% under budget. Honestly, it’s the kind of delivery that deserves a standing ovation (or at least a really good cocktail).
Behind that success was our phenomenal team — calm under pressure, laser-focused, and quietly brilliant. This award was a real “we did that” moment for both us and Primark, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Partnerships that power us forward
2025 was also a big year for collaboration — and we wouldn’t be where we are without the continued trust and brilliance of our partners at UKG, Mercer, and WorkJam.
Whether it was co-creating better solutions, tackling tough challenges together, or simply having each other’s backs through the busier moments — these partnerships are the backbone of what we do. It’s not just about platforms and projects. It’s about shared goals, mutual respect, and knowing we’re stronger together.
Launching something close to our hearts: The Simms Community Impact Foundation
This year also marked a deeply meaningful milestone with the launch of our Simms Community Impact Foundation. It’s built on a simple belief: business should be a force for good — not just in what we deliver to customers, but in how we show up for people and communities.
Through the Foundation, we’re investing in wellbeing, inclusion, education, and social change—taking a long-term, purposeful approach rooted in what truly matters to us as humans.
For me, this year made that belief more real than ever. Losing my Mom to Alzheimer’s was one of the hardest experiences of my life. It brought everything into perspective—what matters, what lasts, and how important it is to feel supported when life gets heavy.
What I’m most grateful for is the way our leadership team—and our wider Simms & Associates team—showed up during that time. I was given the space to grieve and recover, without having to worry about the day-to-day business. That only works because of the culture we’ve built together: one where we truly take care of each other, trust one another, and step in when it matters most.
The Simms Community Impact Foundation is, in many ways, an extension of that culture. It reflects who we are when no one is watching—and the kind of company we want to be, especially in moments that test us. We’re just getting started, but the intention is clear: to create impact that’s genuine, human, and lasting.
Nespresso: A Customer Story We’re Proud Of
We couldn’t round off the year without mentioning the brilliant team at Nespresso. Together, we delivered a transformation project that improved workforce management, smoothed out processes, and made life easier for their people.
It was one of those partnerships where trust, expertise, and a shared goal came together beautifully — and the impact spoke for itself.
Coming up: 10 years of Simms & Associates (yes, really)
If you’d told me ten years ago that this is where we’d be — surrounded by this incredible global team, working with customers we genuinely admire, making a real impact — I’d have laughed and asked what you were drinking.
And yet… here we are. Almost a decade of Simms & Associates. A business that started with a bold idea (and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of winging it as there were no ‘associates’ when I started… just ‘Simms’) has grown into something I’m unbelievably proud of.
We’ve got big plans to celebrate this milestone in 2026 — not just the company we’ve built together, but the people, the moments, and the shared belief that work should be meaningful and fun. Watch this space.
And Finally
If 2025 had a soundtrack, it would be fast, fun, and full of team harmonies (with the occasional rogue drumbeat). We’ve grown, we’ve delivered, we’ve danced. And through it all, we’ve stayed true to who we are: curious, committed, and always up for a challenge.
To every single person who’s been part of this journey — our team, our customers, our partners (and yes, the heroic baristas in airports) — thank you. You’ve made this year unforgettable.
2026, we’re ready for you. Let’s keep building something brilliant.
— Amanda ✨