Yorkshire Science

SimonHill

In a career spanning 20 years, Simon Hill has worked across the breadth of business environments, from fledgling start-ups to established big players. He's faced the challenges and enjoyed the successes of being in business, and brings that experience to bear as Yorkshire Forward's Executive Director of Business Development. Simon joined Kostal UK in 1995, progressing from sales account manager to sales manager. He became Managing Director in 2001 and was responsible for a manufacturing, sales and development operation with a £43 million turnover and a 450-strong workforce.

At Yorkshire Forward, Simon heads up a team responsible for delivering business growth across Yorkshire and Humber, including the expansion of European markets and additional inward investment. He believes passionately in the future growth of industry nationwide and has first-hand knowledge of what Yorkshire Forward has to offer regional business after Kostal received grant aid for its initial investment and then expansion in 1995, and along with support for training he has been involved in the RDA's inward investment role and has given talks to get other companies interested in investing in the region.