Brigadier Marcus Simson

Biography

Brigadier Marcus Simson commissioned into The Queen’s Own Hussars, an armoured main battle tank regiment in 1989. Stationed in Germany at the tail end of the Cold War, he fulfilled a number of junior Regimental appointments and deployed on operations to Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Cambodia and Bosnia. Leaving Regimental Duty in 1996, he spent the next 2 years delivering the Army’s operational training for Bosnia.

On promotion to Major in 1998, and following Staff College, he returned to Germany in 2001 to command an armoured squadron. His tour included deploying the Squadron on operations to Kosovo. He was then Deputy Chief of Staff of the 12 Mechanised Brigade as the Brigade led the Army’s conversion to digital communications. He later deployed with the Brigade to Southern Iraq. This was followed by a period as an instructor at the Staff College.

Brigadier Simson promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2006 and undertook the first of 2 appointments as a career manager in the Army Personnel Centre. He then commanded the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2008-10), and undertook his first deployment to Afghanistan. Following command, Brigadier Simson returned to Afghanistan as the Military Assistant to the Director of Force Reintegration in HQ ISAF. He then returned to a Personnel role in the Army HQ in and was responsible for operational personnel policy.

On promotion to Colonel in Jan 12, he was appointed as Director Campaign Plans within HQ Joint Operations Command in Australia. As such, he was closely engaged in all aspects of Australian operational and Defence Engagement planning and joint capability readiness. He also led Australian engagement with HQs PACOM and JFNZ to develop Defence Engagement cooperation and coordination.

In 2014, Brigadier Simson returned to the UK to the Army Personnel Centre to manage senior officers’ careers. In 2016, he moved to the Army Personnel Services Group and assumed responsibility for the Army’s discipline, operational legacy management, support to inquests and Service Inquiries. He promoted to Brigadier in Aug 18.

Marcus is married and his interests include cycling, sailing, horses and any other excuse to be outside.

Previous roles in government

  • Defence Advisor, Australia