John Denham is a founder and director of the Southern Policy Centre. John’s projects have included work on regional strategy, devolution, widening participation, poverty in southern England and youth issues. John Denham was the MP for Southampton Itchen from 1992 until he stood down at the 2015 election. He held a variety of ministerial and Cabinet posts in the last Labour Government and also chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee. In addition to his SPC role, he is a Professorial Fellow at Southampton University where he is Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics. Prior to entering parliament, John worked in the voluntary sector and was a Hampshire and Southampton councillor.
Simon is a public policy consultant and a Director of the Southern Policy Centre, the think-tank for the central South. Originally from London, Simon began his career as a research biologist before joining the Civil Service, where he worked on local government funding and policy. In 1999 he was appointed Assistant Chief Executive of Southampton City Council and became Director of Sustainability & Development in 2001. In 2003 Simon was appointed Chief Executive of Winchester City Council. He led the Council for 13 years before leaving to become a policy wonk all over again.
