Skills and experience: Sir Simon brings to the Board a background in international corporate advisory with a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, merchant banking, investment banking and financial markets. During his career he has worked in France, Germany, the UK and the US. In June 2010, he was honoured with a knighthood in recognition of his services to business.

External appointments: Sir Simon is the founder member of Simon Robertson Associates LLP and Deputy Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc. He is a non-executive director of Berry Bros & Rudd Limited and The Economist Newspaper Limited. Sir Simon is a director of The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Limited and a Trustee of The Eden Project and of the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.