Simon did a first degree in classics at Christ’s College Cambridge, before training as a social worker with an MSc in applied social policy at Wadham College Oxford. He then worked for 9 years in child care, before taking on more general social care management tasks in Berkshire and Hampshire.

He worked as director of commissioning for North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority in the mid to late 1990s, before moving to the London Borough of Merton where he worked for 4 years as assistant director for community care. He then did a further spell in the NHS as director of policy for a strategic health authority. His particular contributions included the closure of long stay hospitals, the integration of services across health and care, and developing a change programme for the health system.

In 2006 he returned to Merton as Director of Community and Housing, a brief which included adult social care, housing, libraries, adult education and being the lead director for health.

In 2017 Simon moved on from this role, and he is now working for the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services as their Director of Social Care Improvement

Simon has kept an interest in a non- executive role, including being a school governor and trustee for a national charity for people with sight impairment.

He lives in Horsham West Sussex, and is married with 2 daughters, 2 step daughters and 3 grandchildren.