Databricks is making its boldest move yet in Asia Pacific & Japan — and it’s bringing in a seasoned heavyweight to lead the charge. The Data and AI company has appointed Simon Davies as Senior Vice President and General Manager for APJ, signalling serious intent in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets.
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Who Is Simon Davies?
Simon is no stranger to scaling enterprise tech businesses across Asia. With over 30 years of experience, he has held senior leadership roles at some of the biggest names in the industry.
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| SAP | Regional President, Asia Pacific |
| Splunk | SVP & General Manager |
| Microsoft | Senior Leadership |
| Salesforce | Senior Leadership |
| Oracle | Senior Leadership |
Most recently at SAP, Simon oversaw strategy, sales, services, and profitability across the entire APJ region. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and advises CEOs and boards of high-growth tech companies on APJ market entry.
Why This Appointment Matters?
Databricks’ APJ business isn’t just growing — it’s accelerating. The region clocked over 85% year-over-year growth in Q4, making it one of the company’s fastest-growing globally. To match that momentum, Databricks is quadrupling its Singapore headquarters footprint with a brand-new 32,000-square-foot office at IOI Central Boulevard Towers, set to open later this year.
The company now employs more than 1,500 people across APJ — and the roster of enterprise customers keeps expanding. New additions include Singapore Customs, Samsung Life Insurance, and SingTel, joining established names like Atlassian, LG Electronics, National Australia Bank, and Toyota.
“The opportunity ahead is significant, and I look forward to working with our teams, customers, and partners to accelerate that momentum.” — Simon Davies, SVP & GM APJ, Databricks
What Databricks Is Bringing to APJ?
Simon will oversee markets spanning Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, India, Japan, Korea, and Greater China — a massive mandate backed by Databricks’ rapidly expanding product suite. Key offerings driving regional growth include:
- Lakebase — a serverless Postgres database purpose-built for AI agents
- Genie — an AI agent that lets any employee chat with company data and get instant, trusted answers
Industries leading adoption across APJ include financial services, telecommunications, and the public sector — three sectors where data unification can deliver the fastest, most measurable business impact.
As Ron Gabrisko, Chief Revenue Officer at Databricks, put it: “His leadership will be instrumental in unlocking the next phase of growth for one of our fastest-growing regions.”
What This Means for the Region?
APJ is no longer a secondary market for global tech players — it’s a primary growth engine. Databricks’ aggressive investment in headcount, office infrastructure, and leadership signals that the Data and AI revolution is well and truly arriving in Asia. For enterprises in the region, this kind of hyperlocal commitment from a platform trusted by over 60% of the Fortune 500 is a significant vote of confidence.
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FAQs
Q: Who is Simon Davies and why has Databricks appointed him for APJ?
Simon Davies is a 30-year enterprise tech veteran, formerly Regional President at SAP, appointed to lead Databricks’ fastest-growing region amid 85% YoY Q4 growth.
Q: How big is Databricks’ presence in Asia Pacific & Japan right now?
Databricks employs over 1,500 people across APJ and is moving into a new 32,000-sq-ft Singapore HQ, quadrupling its existing footprint.
