Simon was one of the great guys. A true gent who had a smile and warm word for everyone (and such a great chuckle). I will miss seeing him walking the corridors laptop in one arm (I think it was permanently attached or maybe it was his arm?!). He was also the only person I have ever let call me Neigh -deen not Nadine which we'd always laugh about. He cared so much about his work, his students and his staff, and his team were just always smashing it under his leadeship. There is nothing he wouldn't do or try if it would help make things better for them and the college. I've worked with Simon all my working life at Gateshead College and that is a long time. We are a family and his loss will be felt by us all. My love and thoughts are with Karen, Adam and Amelia especially and I hope they take some comfort from all the lovely words and stories people have to share about the wonderful person he was.