Simon's Profile
Job title
Deputy Head of Department
Academic qualifications
MBA, BA (Hons) Economic Development and Planning, PgCert Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, PGDip Professional Administration
"In business, there’s no definitive right or wrong answer. What matters is how you justify your decisions with logic and evidence. With the current pace of change within the sector, it’s important to keep an open mind."
My career has taken me across Europe and to Hong Kong to teach and collaborate, and I’ve undertaken management and knowledge transfer partnerships with universities in France. I have always focused on supporting and mentoring young people throughout each of my roles. Whether the classroom is in Birmingham, France, or further afield, what truly excites me is the diversity of viewpoints and the lively global perspectives students bring. I thrive on using real-world examples and my lived experience to bring subjects to life. I’m always aiming to help students not just understand the material, but see its relevance in their own worlds.
I’ve worked on larger-scale educational projects that I believe have made a difference: from sitting on the Management Group for Aim Higher West Midlands (supporting disadvantaged students into university) to chairing the Guild HE Admissions Network and contributing to national projects with UCAS.
Since shifting fully to teaching in 2017, I’ve specialised in management, leadership, and organisational culture across both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. One thing I always remind my students is that, in business, there’s no definitive right or wrong answer. What matters is how you justify your decisions with logic and evidence. The world is changing at an astonishing speed, and uncertainty is something we can all count on, so it’s important to keep an open mind. Also, remember that university success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Work hard, believe in yourself, and rest assured that your lecturers believe in you too!
In my spare time, I’m committed to giving back to my local Birmingham community by serving as a Chair of Governors for a local secondary school. I’m a massive Star Wars fan, and I also enjoy watching travel adventures with Simon Wilson on YouTube. In terms of comedy, I’m a big fan of comedians Stewart Lee and Jonathan Pie. Finally, a couple of fun facts: my grandmother met Mahatma Gandhi, and I once reviewed Supergrass for The Big Issue.