Geoff Simm, PhD

Geoff is General Manager at AbacusBio International Ltd, where he provides leadership to the Edinburgh-based technical team. He is also a consultant with a focus on livestock breeding, and enhancing sustainability of livestock systems and wider food systems. Geoff joined AbacusBio in 2026.

Geoff has extensive experience in research, education and collaboration with public and private sector partners in the agri-food sector. Prior to joining AbacusBio, Geoff was Head of the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems, and Professor of Global Agriculture and Food Security, in the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh. Before this, he held a variety of leadership roles in Scotland’s Rural College and its predecessors. Early in his career, Geoff built and led a leading international research team working on the sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources – focusing on the design of breeding programmes to address product quality, animal health and welfare, resource use efficiency and environmental impact – with wide industry uptake of this research in the UK and internationally.

Geoff is passionate about partnerships to support innovation in agri-food systems, to help them respond to global challenges – including addressing climate change, restoring nature, improving nutrition, health and inequity – and achieving sustainable development.

Outside of work, Geoff enjoys family time, travel, (dog) walking, cycling (OK, e-cycling!) and cooking – not usually at the same time.