Samantha How, Founder & CEO, Simon Penn , Founder & COO
Who we are
Our Home
At Simon & How we’ve created a warm, caring and inclusive home for our clients and our team. A reassuring and supportive safe-haven in a fast-moving, chaotic world of constant change and pressure.
We’ve also filled our home with opportunity. Passionately representing our clients and nurturing our team to achieve recognition for what they love to do most in the world. Helping each and every one of them to fulfil their goals and reach for their dreams.
Our Vision
The agency that exciting, creative and talented people are proud to call home.
Our Mission
Inclusively representing creative, talented people from all backgrounds whilst passionately developing their careers.
Our Story
Simon and Sam have been in the talent industry for their entire careers. The pair were brought together in 2005 and their joint energy and passion for nurturing talent quickly ignited a spark that officially became Simon and How in 2007.
Sam laughs as she explains the agency name, “We decided on Simon & How after realising that Simon & Sam sounded like a pop duo and Penn & How felt more like an accountancy firm.”
“As well as that pair of American magicians!” adds Simon.
The partnership has created its own brand of magic. There are now 10 agents representing a diverse list of actors, dancers, and creatives, which still includes some of the original clients.
They are very different in some ways, “Simon’s hilarious, he’s so funny! He’s also more of a risk taker and that’s great because he stretches me out of my comfort zone.”
Cue Simon the comedian, “Sam sweeps up after my glitter!”
“Seriously though,” he quickly adds, “Sam pulls me into line. She really focuses me. We’re yin and yang, it’s a great balance.”
At Simon & How we are proud to inclusively represent a diverse array of talent, passionately developing their careers whilst keeping them grounded, safe, and at home in our care.
Every member of our team shares our values: Collaboration, Ambition, Achievement, Passion, Positivity, Individuality, and Energy.
We’ll post any current job opportunities here. That said, we’re always on the lookout for potential people that fit with our ethos.
If you are an experienced and passionate Agent or Assistant looking to find a new home in a thriving talent agency then we would love to hear from you.
Simply send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@simonhow.com
We promise that all applications are handled with discretion and respect.
This shared sense of fun is part of the special atmosphere at the agency.
Reflecting on their journey Sam says, “It’s been a huge adventure getting here. We’re leaders now and have a responsibility to our team. Of course, there have been challenges. In the early days casting directors were unwilling to give us briefs, then there was that scary moment of employing our first agent. But we’ve learnt from every experience. And we’re ready to explore a new era for the agency, to share our vision and values with our team and our clients.
So, what does home mean to them both? Sam’s answer is quick and concise, “My siamese cat and a smokey whisky!”. Simon took longer to reply, “I’ve given this question more deep thought than the meaning of life. I’d always thought of home in the context of where I currently live. It’s not. It’s who I’m with. Lockdown gave me this answer. It’s what you miss the most right? I missed the company of our company. Everything about it.
Sam quickly agreed “Si’s right, our home is here.”
“We’ve learnt from
every experience”
Meet our team
Our founders Simon Penn and Samantha How have lovingly grown a thriving agency and are thrilled to introduce the team to you here.
Sam How
Founder & CEO
Sam How
Simon Penn
Simon Penn
Simon is a founder of Simon & How and the Chief Operations Officer.
Emily Slack
Emily Slack
After graduating with a degree in History from Royal Holloway University of London, I began my career in the Artistic Department at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, becoming Creative Producer and subsequently producing theatre in London’s West End, Number 1 national tours and at venues including the Arcola, Soho Theatre and Theatre503.
Over time it became increasingly clear that my passion lay in the discovery and championing of acting talent, thus I made the move over to talent management.
At Simon and How I am proud to represent a diverse client list of talented actors whose work spans all areas of the business. Working in a collaborative capacity with clients, my focus is on building long term careers in the industry.
I also share a small list of actors with Sam Tooby.
Sam Tooby
Sam Tooby
After graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama I was a Stage Manager in the West End for 9 years. I then moved across to work in Casting and Production before becoming a Talent Agent. This grounding gave me a deep understanding of the business, a wide range of contacts, and an appetite for representing actors and creatives at the highest level.
I am thrilled to have a varied, inclusive list of actors and creatives who can be seen working across tv, film, stage and commercials. I am particularly keen to meet young actors right at the beginning of their career, as well as more established artists and creatives looking for a change in their practice and focus.
I also have an exciting, growing list of acting clients I co-represent with Emily Slack.
I am fiercely ambitious about where my clients can get to and it’s my belief that the best results are drawn from a collaborative working relationship. Anything is possible and, with a strategy driven approach to your career, the sky is the limit.
Tabitha Porter
Tabitha Porter
Two of the best things about my job: 1) When I get to call up my client and say “you did it, you booked the job!” and 2) Getting to see their performances being shared with the world, fully knowing how hard they have worked to get there. My actors can be seen as series-regulars and supporting roles in global Netflix/Sky/HBO series, blockbuster feature films and treading the board of Britain’s most loved theatres. I believe that the key to a successful agent/actor partnership is both having a matching level of trust, drive and understanding. I nurture my clients’ journeys, working as a team with them to achieve their goals and assist their development. Talent can be found from all walks of life and I am passionate about championing actors from a diverse range of backgrounds. I enjoy strong connections with professionals across the industry in the UK, US and internationally. No two days are the same, but my continued commitment to helping my clients to achieve their goals is constant.
Jennifer Bailey
Jennifer Bailey
Lucy Langham
LUCY LANGHAM
After a career on the musical theatre stage spanning 12 years, my transition to talent management was a very natural one. I’m continually excited by my clients and proud to represent a diverse list of individual talent, championing and promoting their unique differences without the traditional borders of a one-track career. My clients can be seen across the West End, UK/International tours, as well as straight theatre, screen and commercials. Having been a performer myself I not only have the experience, knowledge and contacts gained from the ‘other side of the table’, but completely understand the importance of a nurturing and honest partnership between agent and client. It fuels my drive to tirelessly assist my talent reach their full potential, achieve their career goals, and feel supported every step of the way.
Hayley Hills
HAYLEY HILLS
Before I became an agent, I worked professionally both as a dancer and choreographer. I gained valuable experience as head booker at one of the country’s leading agencies and was lucky enough to represent some of the most successful creatives and choreographers in the industry. I’m absolutely passionate about all aspects of this industry, from musical theatre to contemporary and commercial dance. My relationship with each of my clients as individuals really matters to me. I’m dedicated to guiding, advising, promoting, and celebrating them in any way I can.
Lou Davidson
LOU DAVIDSON
Yas Resep
Agent
YAS RESEP
After working as a professional dancer, my experience and passion for the industry enabled me to start a career in talent management.
I believe talent from all backgrounds should be given an equal opportunity to be nurtured and heard. Diversity really is key for me, and I feel now is the time to emphasise on what that really means within the arts sector. I’m particularly passionate about raw, urban, up & coming talent.
My dedication and care towards my client’s careers and well-being really highlight the importance of a long lasting agent-talent relationship.
Emily Roberts
Assistant
Emily Roberts: Assistant
Emily recently joined Simon & How Associates
If you want to find out more about joining our team please go to the Agents page get in touch.
