Module Leader

Simon is a multi-award-winning TV and Audio comedy producer and Exec Producer, with over 20 years experience – largely working for BBC Comedy. Across his career, Simon’s enthusiastically championed and successfully enabled new talent; which he looks forward to continuing for the MA Comedy Writing.

For the last three years Simon has been an Exec Producer in the BBC’s comedy department and is now an independent producer and Exec, whilst developing the MA Comedy Writing. 

Simon was part of Armando Iannucci’s award-winning team at BBC Comedy for five years and also worked for NBC Universal for five years, developing TV and audio comedy for the US and UK.

Four of Simon's career highlights

  • Winning best comedy at the Broadcast Press Guild Awards for BBC sitcom Ed Reardon’s Week and Sony Gold for Chris Addison’s BBC comedy The Ape That Got Lucky
  • Working alongside and learning from Armando Iannucci
  • Producing Dave Gorman’s comedy series Genius, successfully transferring it from BBC Radio 4 to BBC Two
  • Nurturing Emmy and Bafta-winning comedy writer Sean Gray, securing him his first solo comedy commission. Sean has gone on to write for Thick Of It and Veep.

A little advice?

Never give up with a good idea. There are countless examples of shows that have been initially rejected that go on to be big successes. Be confident in your ideas. Stubborn, charming people win!