Simon Davies appointed Swim England’s new Director of Safe Aquatics and Welfare

Swim England is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Davies as its new Director of Safe Aquatics and Welfare.

Simon will officially join the organisation on Monday 23 June from The Scout Association, where he has served as UK Head of Safeguarding since 2022. 

In his current role, Simon has led the strategic safeguarding response as part of the leadership team, overseeing significant improvements to safeguarding frameworks and practices. Prior to this, he was Assistant Director for Child Protection at His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary where he worked for more than seven years, bringing a wealth of experience from across the public and charity sectors. 

At Swim England, Simon will take on a pivotal role in leading and delivering the strategic vision for welfare and safe aquatic participation, guiding the organisation through a vital phase of cultural transformation and growth. 

Reflecting on his appointment, Simon said: “Having spent much of my career in the public and charity sectors, I’ve always had a deep passion for sport, so the opportunity to apply my experience in a sporting context is incredibly exciting.” 

‘A pivotal moment of transformation’

Simon was drawn to the role by the unique opportunity to blend his extensive safeguarding expertise with his enthusiasm for sport, as well as by the organisation’s renewed commitment to change. 

He added: “What drew me to Swim England was not only the chance to be closer to home and family, but to contribute meaningfully to an organisation at a pivotal moment of transformation.” 

He joins at a key moment, as Swim England begins delivering its new One Swim England strategy – an ambitious mission to rebuild trust, shift culture and ensure that everyone can enjoy aquatic sports in a safe and supportive environment. Simon will also lead the organisation’s response to the Listening Report, ensuring safeguarding and welfare sit at the heart of all Swim England activities. 

During his time at The Scout Association, Simon implemented transformative changes in safeguarding by introducing new systems and data-driven frameworks that improved outcomes and addressed root causes.

He prioritised survivor voices in shaping services, led cultural change initiatives, and strengthened governance across the organisation. His work not only elevated standards but also fostered lasting improvements in practice and performance. 

 Looking ahead, Simon said: “I’m especially looking forward to building on the impact I made at the Scouts and bringing that experience into the world of aquatics.”

While he admits he doesn’t swim as much as he’d like, he added: “I’m hoping this role will inspire me to dive back in – because swimming really is so good for you!”

Andy Salmon, Swim England CEO said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Simon to Swim England. His deep expertise, values-driven leadership, and proven track record in safeguarding will be instrumental as we continue to embed the highest standards of welfare across our sports.

“This is a vital appointment at a critical time, and we’re excited to have someone of Simon’s calibre join us on our journey of positive cultural change. With his arrival, our new senior leadership team is now complete and fully equipped to deliver our ambitious One Swim England strategy.”