Every year we honour three Fellows for their contributions to the communications, corporate film and events industries at our Fellowship Awards Lunch. And we are delighted to announce our 2023 Communications Fellow: Simon Weston CBE.
When the RFA Sir Galahad was destroyed in the Bluff Cove Air Attack during the Falklands War, in 1982, on board was Simon Weston, Welsh Guardsman. Simon was severely injured, sustaining serious burns to 46% of his body. He has become well-known across the United Kingdom and abroad for his struggle to overcome his injuries and redefine his role in life, and his message is one of achievement, of triumph in the face of adversity, and of seizing the moment and succeeding.
Simon’s story has been well publicised and he has been the subject of five major BBC Television documentaries: Simon’s War, Simon’s Peace, Simon’s Triumph, Simon’s Return and in April 1999, Simon’s Journey. In 2014 he was nominated by viewers on the BBC One Show to have his portrait painted and hung in the National Portrait Gallery. A BBC documentary film team followed Simon and the process behind creating the portrait. He has been active in a number of highly successful charity ventures and been awarded an OBE and a CBE for his charitable work.
Simon presented reports for ITN covering the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War and in late 2011 he returned to the Falklands Islands to film a documentary to help mark the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War in 2012. His autobiography, Walking Tall, was No1 in the best-selling list. Going Back was also a best seller being in the top 10 for eight weeks. His most recent book, Moving On was published in 2003 and sees Simon lay his Falklands ghosts to rest. He has also written a fiction series and published 4 children’s books. He has toured across the UK doing theatre, and runs his own business.
His prolific and impressive career as a speaker, writer and ambassador continues to have a lasting impact. He is an embodiment of the power of words: how they can inspire people, move people, communicate with people.
We look forward to honouring him with this Fellowship. He’ll be joining us at the lunch which is taking place on the 14th December at the iconic House of Lords. Guests will enjoy a three course Christmas lunch overlooking the Thames, and hear from each of our Fellows as they talk about their careers to date and share their reflections on the industry we are all proud to be a part of.
Our two industry Fellows will be announced at the EVCOM Fellowship Awards Lunch on the 14th December. Book your tickets here to be the first to find out who is being added to our illustrious Fellows list this year!