Co-Founder of Beyond Shame Beyond Stigma, Leading Mental Health Advocate & Star of BAFTA-Nominated “The Stranger on the Bridge”
Simon Weston’s Biography:
Simon Weston CBE is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and tireless advocate for veterans and charitable causes. His name is synonymous with courage, recovery, and resilience following the devastating injuries he sustained during the Falklands War in 1982. He is best known globally as the Falklands War veteran who survived the attack on the RFA Sir Galahad, transforming his ordeal into a powerful platform for positive change, earning him the title of the Nation’s Favourite Hero in 2014.
Born in Caerphilly, Wales, Simon joined the Welsh Guards at the age of 16. His military service led him to the South Atlantic in 1982, where he was aboard the RFA Sir Galahad when it was tragically attacked by Argentine fighter jets in Bluff Cove. Simon suffered 46% burns, requiring 75 major operations and years of intensive psychological and physical recovery. This life-altering event became the catalyst for his extraordinary second career as a powerful public voice on overcoming adversity and the strength of the human spirit.
Simon’s extensive achievements highlight his commitment to community and charity. In 1988, he founded The Weston Spirit, a major youth charity in Liverpool dedicated to inspiring young people. His candid and humorous autobiography, Walking Tall, was published in 1990 and became a Number 1 best-seller. His story quickly gained national recognition, leading to him becoming the subject of five separate BBC documentaries, the first being Simon’s War in 1983. For his unwavering commitment to charity, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 1992, and subsequently elevated to a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours. In 2015, the Variety Children’s Charity awarded him a Legend Award for his services to motivational speaking.
As one of the world’s most highly sought-after inspirational speakers, Simon Weston CBE offers an unparalleled keynote on the human spirit’s capacity to endure and thrive. He is hired by organizations for his practical masterclass in mental resilience, setting goals, and the power of positive thought. His talks emphasize that while you can’t control what happens to you, you can control how you react to it, providing audiences with authentic, actionable strategies for confronting and overcoming personal and professional crises.
Why Hire Simon Weston?
Simon Weston CBE delivers one of the most powerful and inspirational keynotes available globally. A veteran severely injured in the Falklands War, his incredible story of physical and psychological recovery offers a profound masterclass in Resilience, Motivation, and the Power of the Human Spirit. Simon provides candid, emotional, and often humorous lessons on confronting adversity, controlling your reaction to crisis, and achieving positive outcomes despite immense odds, making him an unforgettable speaker for any audience.
Simon Weston’s Career Highlights:
Below showcases Neil Laybourn’s inspirational career highlights throughout the world of mental health:
- 2025 – Launched a new foundation focused on integrating veterans into civilian life through vocational training.
- 2016 – Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his extensive charitable services (Queen’s New Year’s Honours list).
- 2015 – Awarded a Legend Award by the Variety Children’s Charity for his services to Motivational Speaking.
- 2014 – Named number 1 in the Nation’s Favourite Hero list, reflecting his widespread public admiration.
- 1992 – Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his charity work (Queen’s Birthday Honours list).
- 1990 – Published his Number 1 Best Selling autobiography, Walking Tall.
- 1988 – Founded The Weston Spirit, a youth charity in Liverpool dedicated to inspiring young people.
- 1983 – Became the subject of 5 BBC documentaries, the first being Simon’s War, bringing his story to national attention.
- 1982 – Sustained life-changing injuries (46% burns) during the attack on RFA Sir Galahad in the Falklands War.
- 1978 – Joined the Welsh Guards at the age of 16.
Videos
Simon Weston’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“All went well today – Simon was ready on time and gave an excellent talk. I thanked Simon already on-screen but please pass on our thanks to him again when you next speak to him.” – Philip, Ferring
“I just wanted to pass on that Simon Weston was absolutely brilliant! The learners benefited a great deal from these talks.” – Jayne, Newcastle-under-Lyme College
“Simon was a huge success. People are still talking about it and everyone I’ve spoken to found Simon’s address really inspirational and very moving. His remarks about rehabilitation had particular resonance with the delegates and he pitched everything perfectly. It was just right for our conference” – April 2015 (conference in Cardiff)
“Simon was absolutely amazing, as I am sure you are aware. The feedback has been extremely positive!” – April 2015 (conference in Boston)
“Simon was such an inspiration. After all that he has been through his positive outlook on life really made me sit up and think. His added humour made it even more enjoyable.” – March 2015 (Housing association)
“Just a quick email to say, OMG, how brilliant and inspiring and amazing and, and, and everything positive……….is Simon Weston. It was such a wonderful story he told, I can’t even use the word presentation, because it genuinely felt like a story told with such warmth and humour! I was completely and utterly mesmerised throughout!” – Jas Kinslow, Learning and Development Manager, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
“Simon was fantastic and very well received- everyone I have spoken to so far has been saying how inspiring they found him- we even had a resident in the audience who was in hospital at the same time as Simon when he was first brought in with his burns- what a small world! Our Chief Executive and Board were very appreciative of him spending his time to come and talk at this very special event- as was I. He really was the perfect fit, and so adaptable and versatile, a true professional.” – Sophie Bryan Organisational Development Manager Central & Cecil
“Simon was very well received by our teams and the speech was relevant/emotive and hit all the right notes to our audience.” – Sarah Douglas, Charity Link
“Simon was fantastic! Feedback was….One of the best speakers we’ve had. Hugely motivational, Funny, Fantastic presentation, Captivating, Many thanks for all your help!” – Laura Rigas, Johnson & Johnson
“Thank you so much for your help with Simon’s visit. He was amazing. Such a privilege to meet him. The entire audience were totally engaged, you could hear a pin drop.” – Kate, The Portman Estate
“We thoroughly enjoyed the motivational speaker, Simon Weston at our recent event. He was a true inspiration, and has received a 5 star rating from all 144 attendees! Our colleagues have left with a feeling of real pride, motivation and utterly inspired by him. On behalf of our whole Exec team and all guests at the Conference please pass on our sincere thanks to him for his time.” – Sarah RAC
“I just wanted to let you know that the event last night went very well. Everyone was captivated by Simon, who gave an excellent presentation. The Q and A session was very good and enjoyed by the audience, and could have gone on for longer” – Walsall and District Samaritans
“Simon was everything we hoped for and more! The producer said Simon was genuine, honest and sincere which made it really engaging and insightful. I think his positive outlook will really help our listeners.” – Nicole, Casting Director, Electric House
“Everything went really well on Friday, Simon was amazing, he entertained our guests who were hanging on his every word, you could hear a pin drop when he was talking, a truly amazing person and speaker. Please pass our thanks onto Simon we couldn’t of asked for a better speaker for the evening.” – Matthew, Taunton Round Table
“It was really positively received having Simon with his speech on Growth Mindset! Totally fantastic feedback from the audience.” – Henkel
Speaking Topics
Simon Weston’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Resilience and the Power of the Human Spirit
- Overcoming Adversity and Dealing with Trauma
- Motivation, Goal Setting, and the Will to Succeed
- The Importance of Positive Reaction in a Crisis
- Physical and Psychological Recovery and Rehabilitation
How Much Does Simon Weston Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Simon Weston?
The cost of hiring Simon Weston depends on your event format, location and duration. For an accurate quote tailored to your needs, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.