His production company is Bub, and Bubtowers is the 'official' and most comprehensive resource for all things Bub. Simon graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 1995, specialising in Fine Art photography. After spending the subsequent summer feasting on Asian cinema and writing short scripts, he went on to do volunteer work at the now-defunct Intermedia in Nottingham, accessing camera and editing facilities in return for his efforts. A plan was hatched to make at least two short films a year and the first (officially speaking) was Thicker than Water, which cost five pounds (and would have cost less if the person selling the second-hand tape had been more charitable). The film was shot in less than an hour with a one-person cast and crew and went on to win a nice cash prize at the BBC British Short Film Festival in 1997.