Simon Bucks is the Chief Executive of BFBS, the not-for-profit organisation set up to entertain and inform Britain's Armed Forces around the world. As well as delivering television, radio and news to the Armed Forces under contract to the MoD, its other activities include technology development, digital consultancy, media production, cinemas and live entertainment.
Simon has a long experience of media organisations as a journalist and editorial executive. He began his career as a news agency reporter, before moving into television, initially with HTV, before joining ITN where he rose to be Senior Programme Editor. At different times he edited all ITN’s programmes on ITV, including News at Ten.
From ITN he became Head of News, and later Controller of Programmes, at London News Network, the Carlton-LWT joint venture which produced news and factual programmes for the London ITV region. After a period as an independent producer and consultant, during which he executive produced the Millennium Night show for ITV and co-founded a media communications business with his wife, Cheryl Armitage, Simon moved to Sky News, initially in charge of the business news unit and latterly as Associate Editor.
Simon has a long-standing commitment to media innovation and was a leading member of the cross-broadcaster group which campaigned successfully for cameras to be allowed into courtrooms.
Simon is the Honorary Secretary of the Royal Television Society. He served as a director and past President of the Society of Editors and is also a Fellow of the Society.