Biography
Simon served in the Parachute Regiment as part of the Rapid Reaction Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade. Specialising in reconnaissance and Arctic warfare as a military ski instructor and providing specialist training to NATO forces deployed to the Arctic.
HM Prison Service Officer, and later qualified as a physical education officer teaching gym instructor and British weightlifting courses, whilst co-ordinating the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Furthermore, Simon advised and assessed HM prison service staff on their annual fitness tests.
As an operational trainer for Derbyshire Police, Simon was appointed as the lead fitness trainer, providing advice and support whilst assessing the physical fitness requirements of police officers. In addition, he taught personal protection, advanced first aid, use of force legislation and conflict management to staff.
Simon has deployed operationally to numerous countries around the world within the security industry. He has instructed on Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses in Afghanistan, Iraq and in Ukraine and has provided close protection to ultra-high networth families in London.
He has worked within the high-threat waters of Africa and the Gulf of Aden conducting anti-piracy operations and has deployed as part of a Disaster Response Team to global disasters such as Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the 2023 Turkey Earthquake.
Simon coaches strength and conditioning in MMA and regularly working with competing athletes, including three of the English Mixed Martial Arts Association team who competed in the 2022 IMMAF European Championships in Italy.
Education and qualifications
- Certificate in Education and Training
- MSc Strength and Conditioning
- Hostile Environment Awareness Trainer
- First Aid Trainer (College of Policing)
- Personal Safety Trainer (College of Policing)
- Physical Education Instructor (HM Prison Service)
- Certificate in Protective Security
- IOSH Managing Safely