As a classical trombonist, Simon has performed as principal trombonist with the Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. His opera and ballet work has included appearances with the Covent Garden Orchestra, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Simon has performed as a soloist at venues such as the Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre and, on the penultimate night of the 1996 proms, the Royal Albert Hall. Playing the sackbut, Simon has appeared with the Gabrieli Consort (with whom he won a Gramophone Award), the London Classical Players and The King’s Consort.

Simon’s commercial work has seen him perform on hits by/tour with artists such as Robbie Williams, Boyzone, Westlife, Mariah Carey, George Michael, the Pet Shop Boys, Catherine Jenkins, Paul McCartney, Missy Elliot, Lou Reed, G4, Yousson Dour, The Whalers, Brian Ferry and Elton John. He has played on soundtracks for films including Casino Royal, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, Sharks Tale, Shrek 1&2, Bee Movie and Mission Impossible. He conducted on the score for Tim Burton’s 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Simon’s West End credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Producers, Spamalot and Evita.

In the last decade, Simon has undertaken several projects as a composer, notably writing the music for the BBC’s Gormenghast and The Cazalets, Channel 4’s Home Help, and Escape Artists’ Adoreus - A Cambridge Cantata. Through this work, Simon discovered a love of helping others to create music. He has now worked in numerous primary and secondary schools, Higher Education establishments, hospitals, hospices, mental health hospitals and day centres, prisons, homeless centres, after school youth clubs and youth clubs specialising in work with excluded children. He has also undertaken education work for organisations such as the British Council, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Spitalfields Festival, the Royal Academy of Music and the Sydney, Paris and Moscow conservatoires.

Since 2004, Simon has dedicated part of his time to working as Artistic Director of arts and mental health charity Escape Artists. As well as facilitating the charity’s music-related education programmes, he is Joint Creative Director and Musical Director of The City Wakes.