Simon Weston

Falklands Veteran And Motivational Speaker

Simon Weston CBE is an inspirational and motivational speaker who suffered 46% burns to his body when he was severly injured in the Falklands War in 1982.

His story was picked up in the documentary Simon’s War and was followed by millions of people across the UK. Simon has endured years of reconstructive surgery and has undergone over 70 operations and yet has an endearing postive spirit, that has made him one of the UKs most respected and inspirational icons.

His message is one of achievement, of triumph in the face of adversity, and of seizing the moment and succeeding.

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. He was awared the OBE in 1992 and was again recognised in the 2016 honours with a CBE, both for his charitable work.

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 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. 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 was published in 2003 and sees Simon lay his Falklands ghosts to rest.

Simon Weston has published 4 children’s books – “A Nod From Nelson”, “Nelson to the Rescue”, “Nelson at Sea” and “Get Fit with Nelson” and in 2014 was delighted to be asked to voice over some children’s stories for CBeebies.

A successful businessman too, Simon currently runs his own security business in South Wales and is a director of Zappawoo, parent company of start-up Zap Escapes, specialising in selling holidays to those with accessibility requirements.

SPEAKING TOPICS

Simon’s presentation topics include:

• Overcoming adversity
• Accepting change
• Dealing with challenges
• Liking the person you are
• Diversity
• Bravery
• Dignity
• Inspiring others