Abridged Biography
Simon is a lawyer by profession, a seasoned entrepreneur, a career banker and a structured finance practitioner, specialising in emerging markets. As co-founder and Chief Executive of SA Home Loans (SAHL), South Africa’s first non-bank mortgage lender, he pioneered the securitisation industry in South Africa. In 2001 he led the first-ever securitisation issue in South Africa and was instrumental in building the company’s reputation as an innovative lender and challenger brand.
Subsequent to the sale of his stake in SAHL in 2004, Simon was retained by Kingdom Installment Company (KIC) in Saudi Arabia as Chief Operating Officer and Advisor to the Board. Between November 2005 and October 2007, he managed the Gulf’s first Sharia-compliant mortgage lending programme through the establishment of Saudi Home Loans, a joint venture with the International Finance Corporation, Arab National Bank and Dar Al Arkan.
In 2007 Simon merged his investment and advisory activities into Catalis Holdings (Pty) Ltd. That same year Catalis acquired a private equity stake in Integer, a South African mortgage originator and lender. Simon was seconded over a four-year period to launch and then restructure the company in response to the global financial crisis, on behalf of his fellow shareholders, Investec Bank and Purple Capital.
Simon has recently completed a four-year assignment for Deutsche Bank, where he advised Deutsche Gulf Finance (DGF), a Sharia-compliant finance provider based in Saudi Arabia. During this period Simon served in a number of executive and non-executive roles, including acting CEO and Non-Executive Director, focused on managing a corporate restructure to return the business to profitability.
Allied to his banking and private equity activity, Simon has been managing an investment in Ferme Sterveda, a French ski operator and accommodation provider, where he has been overseeing its renovation programme.
In addition to his executive responsibilities, Simon has served as Chairman of Ghana Home Loans, Deputy Chairman of Diamond Mortgages and Non-Executive Director of Rasameel Investment Bank.