He said there was a strong theme running through his portfolios - to make sure New Zealand was doing the best it could economically.
His new associate finance role meant Mr Bridges would bring an economic development perspective to finance while the other big winner from the Cabinet reshuffle, Amy Adams, will bring the social perspective.
Ms Adams was the other Associate Minister of Finance, with Steven Joyce taking over as Minister of Finance from Mr English.
Mr Bridges, 40, was the youngest minister in the top 10 of Cabinet. But unlike other Bay MPs and party officials who the Bay of Plenty Times spoke with yesterday, Mr Bridges played down the prospect of eventually seeking to become Prime Minister.
"Never say never about the future, but it's probably not something for me," he said.
He said the reason he went for the Deputy Prime Minister's job was because it was a political opportunity to become part of shaping the future of the Government, the National Party and the country.
And although it wasn't to be, Mr Bridges said he could do that anyway with his economic development role.
Quizzed about entering the inner sanctum or "kitchen" of Cabinet, he said that "kitchen" was a loose term that stood for governments needing senior leadership to look across the portfolios to see the broad direction was right for New Zealand.
East Coast MP Anne Tolley, whose huge electorate reached the edge of Te Puke, was another success story in the reshuffle, going from 11th to 10th in Cabinet rankings.
She stays as Minister for Social Development and has picked up Local Government and the Government's new role of Minister for Children - focusing on vulnerable children
The former deputy mayor of Napier said Simon Bridges and Amy Adams would make a good combination. "I always thought that Simon had a huge future. It was very good to work with him as the Minister of Transport because he understood provincial transport needs."
Mrs Tolley said Mr Bridges was well placed to play a more senior role.
Bay of Plenty's first term MP Todd Muller said Mr Bridges' communications portfolio, which included the roll out of ultra-fast broadband, was part of the strategic framework needed for the country's economy to perform effectively.
He said Mr Bridges' mixture of talent and application meant he could go all the way to the top.
The National Party's Central North Island electorates chairman Andrew von Dadelszen of Tauranga said it was important that Mr Bridges picked up economic development because the Bay had the strongest growth in the country.
"Having someone who understands what the issues are here can't do any harm," he said.
"Simon has got the capability to reach the top. He is on a good trajectory. Who knows what will happen long-term," Mr von Dadelszen said.
He was also pleased that Mrs Tolley had picked up Local Government because it had been a portfolio that stagnated with a Minister ranked at around 18 or 20.
Government support party minister Te Ururoa Flavell of Rotorua has retained his portfolios in the new Bill English line-up.
Simon Bridges
Minister for Economic Development
Minister of Transport
Minister for Communications
Deputy Leader of the House
Associate Minister of Finance