Simon was educated at Radley and at Trinity College, Cambridge where he graduated with a degree in law.

He started working for NEXT in 1991 as a Sales Assistant and joined the Board as Sales AND Marketing Director in 1997. In 1999 he was made Managing Director and was appointed Chief Executive in August 2001. Since becoming Chief Executive profits have doubled to £500 million, earnings per share have grown at 16% per annum compound and the share price has more than doubled from £10 to over £20. Next operates in over 500 shops and employs over 46,000 people.

Simon has always had an active interest in politics and was a member of David Cameron’s Economic Recovery Committee in the run up to last year’s general election. In May 2010 he was created a Peer by the incoming Government.

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