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Watch the full interview with Elias Boutzakhte.
When Elias Boutzakhte joined Simms & Associates, the company was still small — around a dozen people. He remembers visiting the Madrid office for the first time and immediately feeling something different. “It had an amazing vibe,” he recalls. The team was diverse, with people from different backgrounds, and there was an energy that felt both genuine and inspiring.
Coming from a large corporate environment, Elias noticed the contrast straight away. Hearing Amanda share the story of how she founded the company left a strong impression on him. The atmosphere, the ambition, and the sense of purpose made him realize that this was a place where he could truly belong.
Growing Together, Staying Connected
In those early days, everyone brought the same energy and attitude. There was a shared desire to see the company grow, to contribute meaningfully, and to enjoy the journey along the way. Ten years later, that small team has evolved into a global organization with colleagues across different regions of the world.
With growth, however, comes new challenges. Elias reflects on how being part of a global team can sometimes make it harder to stay closely connected. The moments when colleagues come together — whether in person or through internal communication channels — have become even more valuable. “When we get to work together or be together, we really leverage those moments,” he explains.
Personally, being part of Simms for almost nine of its ten years means a great deal to him. The fact that he has remained part of the journey despite the company’s growth has had a significant impact on him, both professionally and personally.
Team, Trust and Continuous Change
For Elias, what truly defines Simms & Associates is its people. Everyone brings their own expertise and perspective, and there is a genuine willingness to help one another. He describes the company not just as a workplace, but as a team and an adventure. That authenticity, he believes, is one of Simms’ greatest strengths.
Working in a consistently changing environment has been one of his biggest lessons. Projects evolve, teams shift, and unforeseen challenges arise. Over time, he has learned that success depends on the strength of the team — on recognizing that what feels normal to one person may be different for another, and on relying on one another when facing complexity. “When you have a good team,” he says, “it becomes easier to face those challenges.”
Although the scale of the organisation has grown, Elias feels that the essence of his role has remained largely the same. Different projects and different teams bring variety, but the core of the work continues. More importantly, the spirit of the company — its culture and its vibe — has stayed consistent. Even as people have come and gone over the years, the atmosphere during annual kick-offs, the moments of reflection, connection and fun, all reinforce that continuity.
After nearly a decade, what has made him stay is simple: the people and the culture. Coming from a large corporation where it was easy to feel like just a number, he values the fact that at Simms, “everybody has a voice.” People feel heard, supported and encouraged to grow. The balance between professional development and personal life is real, not theoretical.
Looking ahead, Elias is excited about opportunity. Growth brings new projects, new challenges and new possibilities. He looks forward to contributing to that expansion — helping make Simms & Associates “even bigger and better” — while hoping that the team culture remains intact as the company continues to evolve.
To close the conversation, Elias turns the spotlight to the next voice in our series: Marta Lopez. Having joined around the same time, they share a long history at Simms. He describes her as an outstanding consultant, deeply knowledgeable and a true asset to the company. Having worked closely with her, he speaks warmly about the mutual learning they have shared and looks forward to collaborating again in the future.
Next week, our 10th Birthday Series continues with Marta, as we keep celebrating the people who have shaped Simms & Associates along the way.
One story every week. One year celebrating the people behind Simms & Associates.