H. G. Simms was the Chairman of Shanghai International Settlement's Municipal Council from 1922 to 1923.

After leaving school, he went to Belfast where he served an apprenticeship with a merchant firm remaining with them for eight years.

He worked in the London office of the North China Insurance Company for three years.

In 1899, he moved to Hong Kong as head of the North China Insurance Company's Hong Kong office and in 1908 was promoted to secretary of the company in its head office in Shanghai.

[3] He served as London manager of the Union Insurance Society of Canton until 1 July 1936 when he retired due to ill health intending to spend his time between Ireland and London.