Experience

Maidthorn

• United Kingdom
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & Principal

  • 2008 - Present

  London, United Kingdom Maidthorn is the UK's specialist venture builder for global passion niches. With a network for over 100 partners, Maidthorn incubates and invests where the creative industries meet digital technology. Maidthorn then provides ongoing support services to accelerate these ventures. Alongside our venture building, Maidthorn also supports strategy and development for a diverse portfolio of clients, from the most successful global media and technology groups to the most disruptive… Show more Maidthorn is the UK's specialist venture builder for global passion niches. With a network for over 100 partners, Maidthorn incubates and invests where the creative industries meet digital technology. Maidthorn then provides ongoing support services to accelerate these ventures. Alongside our venture building, Maidthorn also supports strategy and development for a diverse portfolio of clients, from the most successful global media and technology groups to the most disruptive digital challengers. We focus on creating valuable global brands in digital-first, content-led passion niches. www.maidthorn.com #MadeByMaidthorn Show less



CountryLine

• United Kingdom
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder & CEO

  • Apr 2017 - Present

  London, Nashville, Los Angeles - The global fan club app for country music - Backed by Sir Elton John - Hollywood 'first look' for country TV & film projects - Owner of Europe's leading country radio station (formerly Chris Country) DOWNLOAD NOW IN YOUR APP STORE https://www.countryline.tv/



Marquee TV

• United Kingdom
• Online Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder & Chairman

  • Apr 2016 - Present

  London & New York - The streaming home of the performing arts - EITF 2020 nominee for On Demand Service of the Year - Streaming partner to the world's greatest performing arts organisations - Commissioning the next generation of hybrid live/digital performances DOWNLOAD NOW IN YOUR APP STORE https://www.marquee.tv/



Love Home Swap

• United States
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder

  • 2009 - Aug 2017

  London Love Home Swap is the world’s largest private homes club, where members can stay in the best collection of stylish homes worldwide and save thousands on the cost of holiday accommodation. EXITED AUGUST 2017 #MadeByMaidthorn



Canvas

• Co-Founder

  • Mar 2015 - Mar 2016

  London Canvas is the online video network for the arts. Funded by Arts Council England, and powered by Rightster, Canvas launched in September 2015 and already represents the cream of UK arts organisations. #MadeByMaidthorn



Brave Bison

• United Kingdom
• Marketing Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Various interim roles, including Chief Commercial Officer & President, Studios

  • Apr 2013 - Feb 2015

  London Brave Bison (nee Rightster) is the cloud-based, global distribution and monetisation network for online video and YouTube's biggest international channels partner. Maidthorn has been an advisor from the beginning and Simon has also taken interim executive roles to support the business's rapid international expansion, including 18 months running Rightster's global commercial and content operations. #MadeByMaidthorn



Insportive

• Founder

  • 2011 - 2013

  London, England, United Kingdom Pioneering online sports network, founded to ride and support the wave of interest in Olympic sports arising from London 2012. Anchored by an unprecedented commercial partnership with BBC Sport and a wide-ranging master agreement with LOCOG, Insportive's original trial service - Grandstand TV - was a major success. However post-Olympics politics put paid to the UK's grassroots sports legacy and despite various ever more creative 'pivots' the business was eventually wound… Show more Pioneering online sports network, founded to ride and support the wave of interest in Olympic sports arising from London 2012. Anchored by an unprecedented commercial partnership with BBC Sport and a wide-ranging master agreement with LOCOG, Insportive's original trial service - Grandstand TV - was a major success. However post-Olympics politics put paid to the UK's grassroots sports legacy and despite various ever more creative 'pivots' the business was eventually wound down. Grassroots digital sport remains an itch that Maidthorn will one day scratch again . . . Show less



The Space (Digital Arts)

• United Kingdom
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-creator

  • 2011 - 2012

  London The free digital arts platform from Arts Council England and the BBC. #MadeByMaidthorn



Ascential

• United Kingdom
• Information Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Group Strategy Director

  • 2006 - 2008

  London



EMI Music

• United States
• Musicians
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Vice President, Consumer Strategy

  • 2005 - 2006

  London, New York, Los Angeles



BBC

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• Controller, Corporate Strategy & Business Development

  • 2003 - 2005

  London



WalkerBannisterBuss

• Managing Partner

  • 2002 - 2003

  London



PeopleNews

• Chief Executive

  • 2000 - 2002

  London



BBC

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Adviser, Corporate Strategy

  • 1997 - 2000

  London BBC's first head of on-demand



The Kalchas Group (Bain/McKinsey spin off)

• Strategy Consultant

  • 1992 - 1997

  London, Chicago, New York