Simon Leighfield
Current role: Project Services Manager (PNG)
Current organisation: Santos
What sport did you hold a scholarship for at VIS: Swimming
Time as VIS athlete: 1991 - 2000
Tell us about your life after your time at the VIS?
I got a job with ExxonMobil who I worked with for just over 20 years around the world in various roles. I did return to swimming part-time for a short time during my first few years with ExxonMobil and set a World Masters record in the 200 Breaststroke. My roles within ExxonMobil started in technical engineering type roles, before moving into management roles and major projects. I had stints in Melbourne, Doha, Houston, Melbourne again and then the UK and worked on projects in Australia, USA, Angola, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Mozambique - the latter being a USD $27 Billion project on which I was the Business Manager.
During my time with ExxonMobil, I got married and have two children - a daughter (eldest) and son.
After my time with ExxonMobil, we moved back to Australia and settled on the Gold Coast. I spent 12 months running my own business focused on Leadership Coaching and Mentoring. During this time I did a number of courses and qualifications and ended up with a position on the leadership team for the Queensland branch of the International Coaching Federation.
At the end of 2021, I joined Santos where I am currently working. I am the Project Services Manager for all of our interests in Papua New Guinea. My team provides a range of support to the Operations, Maintenance and Projects including cost estimating, cost control and forecasting, scheduling, Corporate Reporting, Information Management, Risk Management and Change Management.
Since finishing swimming, I've also competed in endurance mountain bike events, and love to participate in the odd race. Highlights have been finishing the Swiss Epic (a 5 day stage race in the Swiss Alps) and last year, winning my age group at "The RedBack" (4-day stage race in Alice Springs).
What is your proudest sporting achievement?
Finishing 3rd at the 1996 Olympic Trials. While it was a huge disappointment to miss the team, I also did a 3 second PB in the 200m Breaststroke and recorded the 5th fastest time ever by an Australian...all with an injury that required surgery a few months later.
What is your proudest moment outside of sport?
Being a part of my children's growth and development and getting involved in their various sporting and academic activities. My daughter is currently completing year 12 and competes in dressage while my son is in year 7 and competing in waterpolo and motocross.
What is the most valuable lesson you learnt during your time at the VIS?
When I was in the VIS, the Athlete Career and Education program headed by Deidre Anderson was a first of its kind and provided invaluable support and education. It was a program that you only got out what you put in...but I really embraced it as being prepared for life after sport was always such an important objective/strategy for me.
