Dr Simon Best joined Middlesex University in 2010 following a number of career changes. Simon's first career was 15 years as a chef; this was followed by two years as a Market Researcher and then 28 years as self-employed business owner. During his time as a business owner Simon started businesses in Australia, Papua New Guinea, India and Viet Nam. Simon has extensive networks across a number of countries. Currently Simon leads the Enterprise development hub – EDH@MDX as well as lecturing in Entrepreneurship and small business development.
Qualifications
PGCHE Middlesex University, Hendon, UK, 2011
PhD Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, 2006
Migration Law for Migration Agents, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, 2002
MBA University of the sunshine coast, Maroochydore, Australia, 2000
Justice of the Peace Qual, North Point TAFE, Brisbane, Australia, 1998
BA Adult and Vocational Education, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, 1996
Simon is a Teaching Fellow, and teaching and learning interests are widely set around how people learn. He is particularly interested in disruptive learning and the use of dysfunctional groups to enhance learning.
Modules currently taught:
MGT3193 Business Start-up
MGT4465 Networking for Entrepreneurs
MGT4700 Innovation
Previous modules:
MGT4520 International Entrepreneurship
MBA4712/3 Business Transformation Project
MGT3197 Introduction to Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Simon's research interests are relatively broad but centre around entrepreneurship and enterprising behaviour. He is developing a number of research papers drawing on the data collect through the Enterprise Development Hub at Middlesex University (EDH@MDX).
Current Research Projects:
Simon has a number of funding bids for research activities. Currently he is working with a consortium of 6 organisations to develop a module on innovation. This is funded by Erasmus Plus.
Other Knowledge Exchange activities are:
Recent conferences:
IEEC Conference 2014 Newcastle University
Via Futuri Conference 2014 Pecs University
Entrepreneurship and homes: policy and practice 2015 ESRC Seminar Series
What must tech clusters outside London do to thrive? 2015 Birkbeck University
In 2011 Simon set up EDH@MDX, a university wide support service that helps staff and student develop businesses ideas. Over 1200 students have engaged with EDH@MDX and from that a number of successful self-employed and small businesses have emerged.
Other activities include:
Link Tutor for Foreign Trade University, Viet Nam
Trustee and Board Member Institute of Small Business and Enterprise
Academic Standards Board Member London College of Business Management and Information Technology
Academic Standards Board Member Compass Education Viet Nam
Teaching Fellow Middlesex University
University Representative on validation panels
