Simon Harper

Head of Engineering - Prototype & Testing

UK Fusion Energy Ltd

Simon Harper leads the physical Technology Demonstration programme at UK Fusion Energy Ltd (UKFE), where he is responsible for ensuring that robust testing and development strategies enable the delivery of fusion technologies and complement virtual testing efforts. His role includes establishing a Test Operations team capable of safely executing these complex demonstration programmes. Prior to joining UKFE, Simon built and led a test organisation from the ground up, at Vertical Aerospace, supporting the prototyping, development, verification, and airworthiness demonstration of a novel electric Vertical Take‑Off and Landing (eVTOL) crewed aircraft. Over nine years, he played a key role in scaling the organisation from a four‑person start‑up to a workforce of more than four hundred. With GE/Alstom, he delivered pioneering work in renewable Tidal Stream Turbine technology, where he led the Simulation and Performance Team. His work included site condition assessment, management of subsea instrumentation campaigns and data analysis to validate turbine behaviour in real‑world environments. Earlier in his career, Simon worked at Rolls‑Royce, contributing to the development of aero and naval gas turbines, and at Caterpillar, where he tested off‑highway power plants.

Simon holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath and is a Chartered Engineer with the UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers.