'Full circle' for South Shields Marine School's new principal as chief becomes head of college unit where he first started his training

Simon, 46, has been appointed to the role at the world’s oldest purpose-built marine training centre, where he started his training as a cadet in 1993.

He gained officer accreditation through the Grosvenor Road school and has worked for Shell and shipping firms P&O Ferries and P&O Cruises.

While at sea and with continued training from the school, he also gained his chief mate and masters qualifications.

He returned to South Shields as a maritime lecturer in 2006, becoming a head of school in 2010 and deputy principal in May 2018.

While he was deputy principal the school, won the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2019, for work in maritime computer modelling.

The school also created computer simulations that helped two new British aircraft carriers safely reach the North Sea from their berth on the Firth of Forth in 2017.

Simon admits to a baptism of fire after landing the top job on a permanent basis amid the pandemic and the challenges it presents.

But he says his staff have successfully adapted and the school’s future is as bright as at any time in its 160-year history.

Simon said: “I’m incredibly proud and truly thrilled to be appointed principal of this fantastic maritime centre, but I do see myself only as the current figurehead.

“Being made interim principal really was like being thrown in at the deep end, but only because of the pandemic and the uncertainty that created.

“I’ve had great help from everyone associated with the marine school, everyone has pulled together and fully supported me.

“The marine school has been a very big part of my life and, personally, I do feel a sense of ownership which only comes when you know and love somewhere so much.

“The marine school has a hugely prestigious and impressive history. I know its future is in safe hands with the terrific team I have in place.”

“South Shields Marine School really is a fantastic facility, one which the people of the region should be rightly proud.”

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