Following a BSc in Geology and MSc in Mining Geology and Mineral Exploration, Simon started his career as a Geologist with De Beers Prospecting in Botswana. 

In 1995 he started his own company, FFM Botswana, a GIS and remote sensing technology consultancy supplying spatial technology, mainly ESRI and ERDAS products, to a wide range of clients and business sectors including the Government of Botswana, NGOs and the private sector. 

In 2001, Simon was appointed Regional Sales Manager, EAME, for Leica Geosystems GIS & Mapping, before returning to the UK in 2003 to work within the health sector and NHS.

Simon is a highly respected, experienced and successful executive manager with over 20 years’ experience of GIS and remote sensing technology, including 5 years at Director level in the NHS.  His excellent interpersonal and influencing skills have enabled him to build, maintain and utilise partnerships across a range of organisations in the public and private sectors.

Most recently, as ICT Director for Business Development with NELCSU (NE London Commissioning Support Unit), Simon was responsible for leading and developing the strategic growth of ICT within the company and subsequently generated £7 million of new income.

Currently, Simon is working part time towards his PhD in Vertebrate Palaeontology in conjunction with the Natural History Museum and the University of London.  He has several academic publications to his name and has undertaken fieldwork in a wide range of settings, often in remote inhospitable terrain, including:  South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Morocco, Wyoming and UT in the USA, Zimbabwe and the UK.