Simon has been working with the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Humanitarian Assistance since 2008; first as Chair, now as Deputy Chair.

The Council's vision is that humanitarian assistance become increasingly embedded in locally owned and managed programmes. These will identify and manage risk, allow prompt reaction to emergencies of whatever kind, and make an effective link to recovery, rehabilitation and further risk reduction. This virtuous spiral can only be constructed if all actors work together. A special role exists for business, both international and local, working in new partnerships. But a global initiative is needed to support all actors, sharing knowledge and resources, and putting the finance and technology in place. The humanitarian need will inevitably remain. But we can mobilize to make it less of a burden for the people involved and for our collective conscience.