As we bid farewell to Simon this month, we reflect on his remarkable 30-year journey with us. Simon’s visionary leadership has transformed Edinburgh Science into a beacon of innovation in public science engagement. Under his guidance, our annual Edinburgh Science Festival and numerous STEM initiatives have thrived, reaching diverse audiences and fostering a love for science in all.

One of Simon’s significant contributions is Generation Science, which marks its 30th anniversary this year. To date, it has impacted over 1.3 million primary school students.

Simon has also been a advocate for STEM careers. Inspired by his visits to UK career fairs, he launched Careers Hive in 2016. This unique event, which now attracts over 2500 pupils annually, goes beyond traditional career fairs by offering interactive sessions with STEM professionals and inspiring students to pursue careers that benefit our planet.

Simon’s passion extended beyond the UK. He established an international outreach team, forging partnerships with the Abu Dhabi Science Festival, Dubai World EXPO, and more, reaching over a million global visitors. These efforts have shared the magic of Edinburgh Science with the world.

In 2019, Simon launched the Edinburgh Science Climate initiative, addressing critical climate and environmental challenges. This platform has fostered debates, partnerships, and created the NetZeroToolkit, helping businesses develop net-zero strategies.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Simon for his extraordinary contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.