Simon went to sea at 16 as a deck cadet in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He moved across to cruise ships, working for P&O/Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. His final sea-going appointment was on the Stena Line, working on the fast-craft ferries in the Irish Sea.
Simon joined Warsash Maritime Academy in 1997, working in the areas of maritime safety and bridge simulation. He is currently a principal lecturer in the School of Management and postgraduate studies and he also heads up the Solent Enterprise Centre in Maritime Management.
His research interests include the use of blended and distance learning in teaching. He is a member of the Horizon research team, specifically acting as the pilot for the simulation exercises.
In 2009/10 he received over £30,000 from the Southampton Solent University Research and Enterprise Fund for research into the development of resource management and leadership behavioural markers for the Merchant Navy and in 2010/11 a further £20,000 has been approved from existing HEIF monies. He is collaborating with Dr Katherine Devitt in the conduct of this investigation with a view to creating a commercial package to support industry to determine development and promotion criteria for Merchant Navy officers through the use of behavioural marker systems.
Simon is a member of the Nautical Institute.