DrSimon Bailey

Simon is the Director of Operations in Mechanical Engineering, where he works closely with the Head of Department and Management Committee to shape and deliver the Department’s strategic vision. His role spans all aspects of operational services, team leadership, and financial management, ensuring the smooth and effective running of a world-class academic department.

Simon’s academic journey began at the University of Sheffield, where he earned a BSc in Microbiology. He then pursued a PhD at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), a leading institution in science and engineering before its merger into the University of Manchester. His doctoral research focused on the binding properties and production of outer membrane proteins in Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium responsible for meningitis. Following this, Simon undertook postdoctoral research in the University of Manchester, investigating antibiotic resistance.

Transitioning from academia, Simon joined Imperial Consultants, the UK’s leading academic consultancy provider, where he helped connect external organisations with the expertise and resources of Imperial College London. He later became a Project Manager and then Director of Operations at Imperial’s Grantham Institute, enabling the delivery of initiatives at the intersection of science, policy, and sustainability. Today, Simon brings this wealth of experience to his current role, combining scientific interest with operational excellence to support innovation and impact in Mechanical Engineering.