Simon manages teams of youth work and community work staff in a Scottish local authority. He is vice-chair of Play Scotland, and successfully completed a PhD at the University of Strathclyde. His thesis in Community Education was focused on how past childhood experiences, freedoms and licences contributed to emerging selfhood in young people.

During the referendum on Scottish independence, Simon campaigned vigorously for a No vote. He organises charity open water swims off the Scottish coast in aid of the RNLI, and in what little spare time remains, he chases his 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter about and has just retired from playing football after an illustrious career of playing averagely.