Simon first came to Budpest in 1992 to complete his doctorate, has three children and has published books and articles on diverse subjects in history, marine biology, international business, rare earths, natural resources, evolution, science and religion.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I came in 1992 to write a book called "An English Dictionary of Sport" for the Semmelweis University. It is part of the Hungarian curiculum for Sports and has sold an extra 15,000 copies. I then stayed on to develop my own businesses in recruitment, publishing, software and agriculture. I am now Chairman of the Chronos Group which is a diversified consultancy group for governments and Fortune 500s.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have lived in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Finland and Spain as an expat and still spend upto 50% of my time in Spain and USA

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The great flexibility of the people and an actual willingness to find solutions...

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Margit Island and Acquincum. Budapest is hugely underrated historically - especially in Roman and pre-Roman history. You have amazing collections of artefacts here but they are not well known or advertised. Few people know about Gorsium here for example - if that was located in the UK it would be world famous.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I love almost all Hungarin food..

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
I lost 20kg in the last year so I don't look in there much ! Turo Rudi !

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Lehet

8. What do you miss most from home?
I really consider this my home now - maybe the true early Spring we have in England. Here it all comes late and suddenly.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
A truly great rock star

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Banker

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Perth in Australia

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Costa Rica or Iceland

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
So many bands, great films are Shawshank Redemption, Forest Gump, all Star Trek ever made. Favorite hobby was Karate and all martial arts

14. What can't you resist?
A great piece of abandoned land in serious need of care and attention. Historical books.

15. Red wine or white?
Both

16. Book or movie?
Both. I have several thousand books here in Hungary and am a confirmed biblioklept

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning. I grew up on a farm in Yorkshire !

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
In Hungary and CEE I feel very strongly about children's charities, especially in healthcare - this is why I founded Chronos Trust and I am also on the board of other local charities. Globally I feel very strongly about environmental issues but also realistic that we must use a varirty of energy sources to deal with this. Hence our Coberon Green Organisation.

19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda to live, Pest to get anything done

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Mark 11:22