Simon Richardson

CEO at Plan C

Simon is a communicator, strategist and community-centred leader with a deep commitment to resilience and regeneration. As Byron Shire’s longest-serving Mayor (2012–2021), he guided the region through fires, landslips, coastal erosion and the pandemic, helping secure major funding, shape policy and build trust across government, media and community. His calm, collaborative leadership style is grounded in listening and bringing people together to create practical, systemic solutions.

Simon’s knowledge of how to navigate long-term crises and strengthen networks has shaped his work ever since. He has supported place-based initiatives that foster innovation and resilience, mentored young leaders, and worked in creative and educational spaces that bring communities together to learn and imagine better futures.

A former high-school English and Humanities teacher, Simon is skilled at translating complexity into clear, actionable steps. His professional journey has spanned policy, funding, communications and systems-thinking, all of which now inform his role at Plan C: strengthening the organisation’s capacity while staying true to its values of inclusion, adaptability and community-first action.

Beyond work, Simon loves a lighthouse walk, cooking for his family, and crate-digging for vinyl.