Simon is the CEO of LIONS, the global organisation behind WARC, Effie, Contagious and the prestigious Cannes Lions Festival.

Following a career in advertising, he joined LIONS more than a decade ago and became CEO in 2019. His leadership has helped transform LIONS into a year-round global platform that inspires and supports the marketing industry in producing creative marketing that builds business, shapes society and has long-lasting impact.

A champion for creativity’s transformative power, Simon has solidified LIONS’ reputation as the global destination and benchmark for creative excellence and effectiveness. In 2018, he founded the Global CMO Growth Council, uniting the world’s leading chief marketing officers to remove barriers to international growth through creativity.

Simon’s understanding of the complexities of the creative marketing ecosystem has earned him recognition as a thought leader and trusted voice in the industry. Simon is a passionate advocate for initiatives promoting equality, inclusion and opportunities for creatives to thrive.