After 22 years in the NHS, I’m bringing my experience in leadership, commissioning and service development into a new chapter as founder of Simon Acton Community Solutions Ltd. My aim is to help organisations turn complex challenges into practical improvements — for their services, their teams and the communities they support.
My career has spanned frontline clinical practice, senior commissioning and operational management. Most recently, I was General Manager for Public Health Services at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, overseeing a varied portfolio including drug and alcohol recovery, health visiting and school nursing, community dentistry, women’s health and personalised care. This breadth gives me an understanding of both strategic priorities and the day-to-day realities of delivering services.
Earlier in my career, I worked as a senior commissioner in Somerset, overseeing ambulance, out-of-hours GP and NHS 111 contracts. I also managed Children’s Continuing Healthcare services in Dorset. These roles developed my experience in commissioning, contract management and bringing organisations together around people’s needs.
I recently completed my MBA and Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, and I am a Chartered Manager with the Chartered Management Institute. My leadership experience is underpinned by a clinical background as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, postgraduate study in advanced practice, and specialist qualifications in addictions and prescribing.
Through my consultancy, I support organisations with service reviews and redesign, strategic planning, business cases, programme management, commissioning, governance and operational improvement. I have a particular interest in public health, children and families, substance-use recovery, and services supporting people facing disadvantage.
My approach is collaborative, straightforward and focused on delivery. I take time to understand the challenge, work closely with the people involved, and help translate ideas into clear plans and achievable action. Clients work directly with me, receiving experienced senior support tailored to their needs, with careful attention to resources and lasting value.
