Simon has a longstanding association with members of the SCI. The relationship has continued through his work with the consumer goods company Unilever, the design consultancy IDEO and now as a jobbing innovation consultant.
Simon co-designs consumer practices. Having completed his PhD, and after a brief spell lecturing at Southampton University, Simon joined Unilever R&D as a Consumer Scientist at their Port Sunlight Laboratory. Later he moved within Unilever to Marketing and Innovation as Global Head of Consumer and Market Insight - Oral Care. In 2008 Simon joined the design consultancy IDEO, as Practice Head, Food and Beverage Design Europe. Simon is now a partner at the innovation consultancy Creatures of Habit.
Simon's academic interests include material culture, design and innovation management, the sociology of consumption, 'behaviour change' and the sociology of social problems. He consults widely on commercial brand and product innovation projects. Working at the intersection of commercial organisations and civil society his recent work has been focused on 'social innovation'.
Simon has a BA Hons Social Policy, University of Newcastle and PhD, Southampton University.