Simone is the Finance Director of BBC World News, responsible for the financial operations of the channel, health and safety, and business continuity.

She joined BBC World News in January 2003 as Financial Controller. Prior to this, she worked in BBC Worldwide for eight years in various roles, including Group Financial Accountant, Corporate Strategy & Planning Manager and Head of Financial Accounting Services.

Simone qualified in Exeter, England, as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1991. She then worked in Toronto, Canada, for 18 months before returning to the UK, where she took up a client secondment in Yorkshire. In 1994, Simone joined P&O as a Financial Accountant before moving to the BBC in 1996.

Outside of work, Simone enjoys travelling, gardening and exercising. She is also a trustee of Article 19, the global campaign for free expression.