Simon Penney CMG

Biography

Simon Penney was His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HTMC) for the Middle East and Pakistan. He was appointed in May 2018. Simon was also His Majesty’s Consul General (HMCG) to Dubai, appointed in January 2021.

Simon spent the majority of his career in the banking sector with extensive experience leading corporate and financial institution groups and teams across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Simon’s previous roles in the Middle East include:

  • Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at First Gulf Bank
  • Chief Executive Officer, Middle East and Africa with the Royal Bank of Scotland

Simon was also CEO for ABN AMRO Bank in South Africa before which he led teams in the UK. Before this, he worked in consulting at PwC and in project finance within the construction industry.

Simon holds an MBA with distinction from Nottingham University and a first class degree from Reading University.

Previous roles in government

  • British Consul General to Dubai
  • HM Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan