Simon Parkinson is the General Secretary and Chief Executive at the WEA in the UK. Growing up in Salford, Simon attended both Salford University and Warwick University where he gained a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He joined the WEA from Co-operative College where he was Principle and CEO for 4 years and previously worked for 19 years at the Royal Mencap Society, including as Director of Education, Learning and Work. Simon is involved in a range of external networks including Co-operative Council Innovation Network, where he is vice chair of the Values & Principles Committee and an advisor to the Executive Oversight Committee. He is the Vice-Chair of SOLIDAR.