Perfecting the Tech Team Blueprint: Human-Centred Leadership with Seemin Suleri, VP of Engineering at Prima - E17

With huge leadership roles in 288 Group, AXA Health, and most recently becoming VP of Engineering at Prima, Seemin’s human-centric approach is absolutely game changing for tech startups and scaleups alike!

Join us on Great Software People as Seemin shares the importance of transparency in software dev leaders, her incredible work with Women in Tech Dorset, and how to scale a remote-first global business.

This episode covers:

• How following a path less-travelled led Seemin to her successful path

• Seemin’s entry into leadership to refute bad leadership

• The current challenge balancing career progression and starting a family

• What made her experience at 288 Group so influential

• Preparing for the future of technology

Episode highlights

“I was never given interesting work, so I remember going to my manager and asking, ‘Can I work on something that nobody wants to touch?’” - 4:35 - Seemin Suleri

“The reason I entered leadership is because of how bad leaders in software were - I wanted to become the leader that I never had.” - 7:30 - Seemin Suleri

“When you come back into the workforce after taking time off for your child, you’re not the same person. You have gained some essential skills such as patience, and perhaps multitasking, but at the same time, you have a lot more considerations now than you used to.” - 16:00 - Seemin Suleri

“One discussion that I normally tend to have on a job interview now, which I learned from my time in 288, is saying, ‘What is the accountability, and what is the autonomy?’, because one without the other doesn’t really work.” - 24:10 - Seemin Suleri

“The way I look at technology, it’s ever-evolving. That’s why I’m watching everything, and am ready to jump on it whenever it’s the right time to do so.”” - 41:45 - Seemin Suleri

LISTEN HERE:

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[00:00:13]

Rich: Welcome to a fantastic episode of Great Software People! Today, we’re joined by Seemin Suleri, VP of Engineering at Prima, and co-founder and director of Women in Tech Dorset. Hi, Seemin!

Seemin: Hello, Rich. Great to be here.

[00:00:41]

Rich: So, let’s dive in. Did you wake up as a six-year-old thinking, “I’m going to be a VP of Engineering someday”?

Seemin: Not at all! Growing up in Pakistan, career paths were often narrowed down to either engineering or medicine. I admired my dad, who was an executive—his drive and purpose inspired me. I wasn’t initially passionate about engineering, but I saw its potential. It was new, trendy, and seemed like a field that would offer better career opportunities.

[00:02:30]

Rich: So, what happened after university?

Seemin: I came to the UK for my master’s degree in computer science and started my career here. My first job was as a junior software developer, which involved tedious tasks like tweaking CSS—moving buttons by a pixel or two. It wasn’t glamorous, but over time, I discovered my passion in the design phase of software development.

[00:04:30]

Rich: Can you tell us about some early projects?

Seemin: Sure! My first job was at a company designing software for air traffic controller training. I eventually took on a challenging project involving aircraft positioning—something no one wanted to touch. Later, I worked on manufacturing systems for companies like Audi and BMW, focusing on communication frameworks for machines.

[00:06:56]

Rich: After that, you transitioned to web development at 288 Group. What was that like?

Seemin: That’s where I moved into leadership for the first time. Honestly, it wasn’t because I was inspired by great leaders—it was the opposite. I’d seen so many engineers promoted into leadership roles without the inclination or skills to manage people effectively. I wanted to be the leader I never had.

[00:08:23]

Rich: That’s a unique perspective—many guests are inspired by great leaders. You stepped up because you wanted to fix the gaps you saw.

Seemin: Exactly. I was tired of seeing leaders who rolled their eyes at team concerns or avoided engaging with their people. I wanted to prove that leadership could be different.

[00:12:30]

Rich: You became a lead engineer at AXA. How was that transition?

Seemin: It was pivotal. I built a team that became my blueprint for great teams. I also learned an important lesson: instead of focusing on external obstacles like bureaucracy, we concentrated on what we could control—and saw massive improvements in performance and efficiency.

[00:13:49]

Rich: You took time off to have your kids. Was it daunting to re-enter the workforce?

Seemin: Initially, yes. I worried about falling behind my peers. But I reminded myself, “This isn’t a race.” Taking a year off with my son was the best decision I ever made. I came back stronger, and looking back now, I’ve reached exactly where I wanted to be.

[00:17:27]

Rich: How can companies support women returning to work after maternity leave?

Seemin: Companies need to understand that new parents aren’t the same people when they return. Parenthood teaches you patience, multitasking, and prioritization, but it also brings new challenges. A little understanding and flexibility go a long way.

[00:20:00]

Rich: You went back to 288 Group for a digital transformation project. Tell us about that.

Seemin: It was a huge challenge. The company had legacy on-prem systems, a siloed culture, and teams using outdated tech. My focus was both technical and cultural transformation. We modernized the tech stack, moved to the cloud, and built a culture of transparency and collaboration.

[00:25:00]

Rich: That sounds transformational. What was the key to your success?

Seemin: Two things: stakeholder buy-in and transparency. I had 100% support from the business for tough decisions. We also made sure stakeholders understood the tech changes in simple terms. That transparency earned trust and built strong relationships.

[00:27:36]

Rich: And now, you’re VP of Engineering at Prima. How’s that going?

Seemin: It’s a whole new challenge! Prima is scaling globally, with teams across Europe. Moving from startup to scale-up requires building processes that work at scale while maintaining the company’s culture. I’m learning how to scale a global organization effectively.

[00:30:07]

Rich: How are you preparing for this scaling journey?

Seemin: I rely on continuous learning. I also did the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme, which was transformative. It emphasized creativity, using arts like music and theatre to approach leadership. It helped me envision what success looks like and how to break it into actionable steps.

[00:33:35]

Rich: Let’s talk about Women in Tech Dorset. What inspired you to start that?

Seemin: I was often the only woman in the room, which could feel isolating. I wanted to create a community for women in tech in Dorset. We’ve since grown to host events, panel discussions, and even launched a Women in Tech Playbook, offering businesses guidance on creating inclusive environments.

[00:38:00]

Rich: That’s amazing. What’s your vision for the future?

Seemin: I’m exactly where I need to be right now. My focus is on learning how to scale organizations globally. Beyond that, I want to keep pushing boundaries and creating environments where people thrive.

[00:42:11]

Rich: What excites you most about the future of technology?

Seemin: Everything! I don’t get caught up in buzzwords—I’m here for the surprises. Technology evolves constantly, and the key is staying ready and informed. I’m excited to see what comes next, especially as AI continues to mature.

[00:43:24]

Rich: Seemin, you’ve been a phenomenal guest on Great Software People. Where can listeners connect with you?

Seemin: Thank you, Rich! Listeners can connect with me on LinkedIn, and they can learn more about Women in Tech Dorset at womentechdorset.co.uk.