Biography

Simon was born in Hasborn/Eifel, Germany, and spent two years in the German Air Force fighter bomber squadron after leaving high school. On his demobilisation, he embarked on his academic career and by 1974 had obtained a PhD in management studies. From 1979-89 he was professor at first Bielefeld and then Mainz Universities.

Simon has subsequently had visiting and research professorships around the world, including Harvard and London Business School. He is currently chairman of Simon Kucher and Partners, the strategy and marketing consultants.

Simon's instant recognition is as the expert in the dynamic businesses which drove the German economy, the Mittelstand companies, as described in his book Hidden Champions of the 21st Century (2009).

In Germany he has been voted the most influential management thinker after Drucker.

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