Mike Simcoe holds an Associate Diploma of Art Industrial Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He commenced work as a designer with Holden in 1983 and had subsequent appointments as Senior Designer and Chief Designer before becoming Design Director in 2001. In 2003, he became GM’s Executive Director Asia Pacific Design, a regional design role that incorporated responsibility for Holden design. In that role, he was responsible for the management of collaborative projects with GM alliance partners such as Daewoo, Suzuki, Fuji Heavy Industries and Isuzu. Simcoe then served in Executive Design Director roles at GM North America from 2007 until 2011.

He returned to GM Holden in 2012 and in 2014 was appointed Vice President of International Design. He relocated back to GM North America in 2016 and is currently GM Head of Global Design, arguably the biggest automotive design job in the world, and certainly the oldest. He occupies an office designed for Harley Earl in 1955 in the Warren Technical Center, a National Historic Landmark building.

As well as leaving an indelible mark on a long line of Holden cars, Simcoe has led design development for many GM products including: GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Camaro and Equinox as well as Cadillac CTS Sedan, Wagon and Coupe and the acclaimed Buick Avenir concept.