Meet our Provincial Executive Team

Simon, the son of a Naval captain, was born and educated in Cardiff and went on to build a career defined by challenge, unusual locations, and a long sequence of decisions that seemed entirely sensible at the time – though, like many things in Freemasonry, perhaps clearer after some reflection.

Originally earmarked for a naval career (very much his father’s plan). After doing his ‘A’ levels he began working life with a summer season holiday job at Butlins in Minehead—an experience that provided a rapid introduction to real life, and very likely convinced him that almost anything else would be an improvement… including, eventually, joining organisations where minutes actually mattered.

He then joined South Wales Police (for clarity in Wales, not Australia), serving in Cardiff – particularly in Ely – where he developed his policing skills while fully committing to rugby. At the time, competitive sport and policing went hand in hand, and Simon embraced both enthusiastically. As he often reminds us, ‘those were indeed the days’ – though possibly before regular committee meetings replaced training schedules.

During his six years there, he received three commendations, which he modestly attributes to ‘being in the wrong place at the wrong time… and occasionally running towards things sensible people were running away from’ – a trait that, as many here will recognise, also makes him highly suited to volunteering for Masonic offices.

He then made what he still describes as a ‘logical’ move into the Army – because, as he explains, ’it felt safer than being a policeman in Ely,’ which perhaps tells you everything you need to know about Ely at the time.

Joining the Royal Military Police – affectionately known as ‘the Monkeys’ – he managed to fail basic training twice. Not through lack of ability, but because he was busy playing in an Army rugby cup final. Despite this, he eventually passed out as Best Recruit – clear evidence that persistence, good timing, and being in the right place at the right time can occasionally work in your favour, not to mention being captain of the successful ruby team!!… a principle not entirely unknown to those seeking progression in Freemasonry.

Posted to Catterick – entirely coincidentally the home of the Corps rugby team which he again captained – he later transferred to the Special Investigation Branch, where he developed expertise in investigations, intelligence, and maintaining a straight face in situations where this was clearly an unreasonable expectation… a skill that has proved equally valuable when listening to ceremonies without rehearsal.

His career then took a more serious turn with service in Northern Ireland, followed by selection for the Close Protection Unit – reassuring evidence that someone trusted him to look after important people… a responsibility not entirely unlike being placed in charge of a festive board seating plan!