The Master

He joined the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators in 2005 and is now serving a second term on the Court. In addition to being a member of the Company’s various committees he has been the Treasurer of the Company’s Charitable Trust and the Company’s representative on the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies.

Historically, he was active within the Livery Schools Link Committee, having been its Chair, prior to its incorporation, which resulted in developing close relationships with Clara Grant Primary School, delivering a financial literacy program for a number of years.

Insolvency career

Having fallen into the insolvency profession in 1990, his professional body memberships include the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA), the Association of Business Recovery Professionals (ABRP/R3), INSOL and The National Association of Property and Fixed Charge Receivers (NARA).

During his career, he has maintained close relationships with the insolvency regulators and was President of the Insolvency Practitioners Association in 2007 / 2008. He is an IPA Board Member.

Having been involved in and chaired a number of IPA committees over the years, including the Investigation Committee and the Standards Ethics and Regulatory Liaison Committee, he has now ceased his committee engagements to allow time to focus on his role as Master Arbitrator.

In 2019, he was awarded the IPA’s “Outstanding Contribution to the Insolvency Profession and / or Wider Insolvency Sector”.

One of his most notable insolvency appointments was as Administrator of Shoreham Airport, in relation to the City, he was a Receiver of Woolgate Exchange located in Basinghall Street. He is also dealing with a complex liquidation involving three VCT companies.

Menzies

He has been advising financially challenged businesses since 1990. In 1998, he broadened his insolvency experience with a three-year stint in insolvency regulation. He subsequently re-joined private practice in 2002 and in 2011, established a new insolvency practice, which transferred into Menzies LLP in 2015.

He has served on Menzies’ Management Committee and was the Managing Partner of the Business Recovery and then the Transaction Services team, which included Business Recovery, Forensic Services and Corporate Finance.

Having built an award-winning team, he stepped down as the Managing Partner of the Menzies Transaction Services team in 2018, to focus on delivering insolvency advice and developing client relationships, with Partner oversight of Marketing and Business development.

Personal profile

He is married to Amanda. They have been together for over 20 years and enjoy travelling, particularly scuba-diving adventures, which is relatively easy as they do not have any children. That said, being the oldest of four siblings, Simon has nine nieces and nephews who help to keep me honest.

Additionally, he enjoys cycling, skiing and camping, which have yet to appeal to Amanda!