Simon Beer

Simon works in the Inclusive Economy team at London Borough Barking and Dagenham as Head of Skills /Principal of Adult College. In this role, he is responsible for aligning the work of the college with Inclusive Economy strategy, and co-ordinating adult skills programmes across the borough. Previously Simon headed up Haringey Learns, where he established programmes focused on council priorities including employment, health inequalities and digital exclusion.

Simon has published widely on lifelong learning and skills. His areas of interest include digital technology and learning, Trauma-Informed practice, neurodiversity and learning, design thinking, transferable and fusion skills, the creative curriculum, and public service transformation.

Simon began his career in Further Education and developed award winning industry led programmes, noted for their emphasis on inclusion and diversity. He then spent ten years working in research & development and policy roles including Senior Policy Advisor at the Local Government Association (LGA), and Programme Manager for Governance Development at Education and Training Foundation (ETF).

Simon is Visting Professor at Coventry University, where he sits on the Advisory Board for National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE). He completed a Strategic Leadership Programme at Said Business School, Oxford University, and a ‘Design in the Public Sector’ programme at the Design Council. He is a member of a National Policy Forum for adult education, and the Further Education Innovation Committee.