Simon Calder is one of the UK's most trusted and recognised travel journalists, both for his editorial and his broadcast work across a variety of major platforms. His illustrious career, spanning nearly 30 years at The Independent, grew from humble beginnings - his first travel job was at Gatwick airport, where he cleaned aircraft for Laker Airways and later worked as a security officer. After a stint writing guidebooks on hitchhiking, Cuba, Central America and Amsterdam, he first became The Independent's travel correspondent in 1994, where he earned the moniker "the Man Who Pays His Way" because he doesn't accept free travel. Simon is a keen consumer champion, known for his work holding companies to account when they let holidaymakers down; since Brexit, he has single-handedly fought for UK airlines to implement the correct EU passport rules and for passengers unfairly denied boarding to be duly compensated. Besides his work online, he produces a daily podcast and presents films for The Independent, plus is often seen on the BBC, Sky News, ITV and more giving his expert advice or providing insight on the latest breaking travel stories. In 2022, Sue Perkins presented him with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the TravMedia Awards for his world-leading coverage of the travel rules during the coronavirus pandemic.