Simon Best is Woodbrooke’s Head of Programmes & Partnerships. He has overall responsibility for Woodbrooke’s learning and research programmes, and is responsible for supporting the Swarthmore Lecture programme.

He is a lifelong Quaker and has over twenty years’ experience working for a variety Quaker organisations. Simon has a PhD in Quaker Studies from the University of Birmingham, where his thesis focused on the spiritual beliefs and religious practices of adolescent Quakers. Previously he worked for Britain Yearly Meeting planning and delivering events and resources for children and young people. Since participating in the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage Simon has been keen to build links and understanding between Quakers around the world.

Simon leads on our partnership work with Quakers in Britain and Quaker organisations around the world. He is passionate about creating opportunities for Quakers to learn and grow individually and together as inclusive, all-age communities and how Friends can learn, grow and connect across Yearly Meetings and Quaker traditions.