Simon Weston CBE

In 1982 the Sir Galahad was destroyed in Bluff Cove on the Falkland Islands. On board was Simon Weston, Welsh Guardsman, a name and face that was going to become well known for his struggle to overcome his injuries (46% burns) and redefine his role in life.

Simon’s message is one of achievement, of triumph over adversity, of seizing the moment and succeeding.

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Following his injuries, Simon’s road to physical, spiritual and mental recovery saw him active in a number of highly successful ventures including ‘The Weston Spirit’, a Liverpool-based young people’s charity.

His charitable work earned him an OBE in the 1992 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He was also awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2002 in recognition of his bravery and his charity work in the region.

 

He was honoured as one of the top 100 Welsh Heroes in 2004, and in 2014, in a survey conducted by Freud Communications, Simon was voted top of the UK’s Heroes Index, naming him the Nations Favourite Hero.

In early November 2015 Variety Children’s charity awarded Simon a Legend Award for his services to Motivational speaking and in December he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.

 

In the 2016 New Year’s Honours Simon was awarded the CBE for his charitable work. For two years Simon was the President for Wales Scouting, and is currently the Patron of the Falkland Veterans Foundation, The Enham Trust, Allied Service Trust and an Ambassador for Changing Faces.

 

Simon’s story has been well publicised and he has been the subject of five major BBC Television documentaries: Simon’s War, Simon’s Peace, Simon’s Triumph, Simon’s Return and in April 1999, Simon’s Journey. In 2014 he was nominated by viewers on the BBC One Show to have his Portrait painted and hung in the National Portrait Gallery, and BBC documentary followed Simon and the process behind creating the portrait.

Simon presented reports for ITN covering the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War and in late 2011 he returned to the Falklands Islands to film a documentary to help mark the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War in 2012.

 

Along with Simon’s work with a number of charities he is also a professional motivational speaker with over 25 years experience. Simon not only talks about overcoming adversity and positive mental attitude but also his experiences of being in the public eye over the last 30 years.

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His irrepressible humour, infectious enthusiasm and immediately engaging personality, have made him the number one choice of many companies who invite him back to speak time and again. An inspiring and moving keynote speaker, Simon is also a wonderful and humorous after dinner speaker.

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Speaking Topics Include

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• Taking up the Challenges for now and the Future

• Liking the Person You Are (Enjoy living in the skin you have)

• Overcoming Adversity

• Accepting Change

• Diversity

• Bravery & Dignity

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Simon also speaks after dinner and has hosted a number of awards including the Multimodal Awards and British Farming Awards.

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ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS

 

SIMON’S BOOKS

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His autobiography, Walking Tall, was No1 in the best-selling list. Going Back was also a best seller being in the top 10 for eight weeks. He then wrote a series of fiction books with titles such as Cause of Death and Phoenix. His most recent book, Moving On sees Simon lay his Falklands ghosts to rest.

 

• 1992 Awarded the OBE for Services to Charity

• 2002 Awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool

• 2008 Awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot Watt University

• 2015 Awarded the Freedom of the City of London

• Awarded Variety Charity Legend Award for services to Motivational Speaking

• 2016 Awarded the CBE for Services to Charity

• Awarded Honorary degrees from JMU in Liverpool, UWIC in Cardiff, University of Glamorgan and Open University

• Military honours include General Service Medal and South Atlantic Medal with Rosette

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In January 2022 Simon Weston was on Beat the Chasers and won £40,000 for his charity DEBRA.

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Simon Weston appeared on Good Morning Britain on 5 April 2022 with Kate Garraway & Richard Madeley, talking about the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, including Simon going to the Falklands & Argentina.

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Simon was recently on Unbreakable, BBC1 (6 episodes, from 6th Oct to 10th Nov 2022) along with his wife Lucy, where six celebrity couples put their romantic relationships to the ultimate test.

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By arrangement with H Talent Management

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