Chair
“Jon is simply the best in the business at navigating a conversation towards a productive and actionable conclusion”
What I bring
I’ve served for a cumulative twenty years on Boards as either Chair, Director or Trustee, including the boards of Channel 4, Artichoke Productions, the British Screen Forum and Punchdrunk Enrichment. During that time I’ve supported CEOs who have delivered turn-arounds, created new ventures, managed founder transitions, and raised investment. I’ve been a sounding board, constructive critic and mentor, while always ensuring that the board’s role in governance and representing the interests of external and internal stakeholders is paramount.
I’ve also enjoyed a broader and widely acclaimed role in Chairing groups and events, most notably in conferences and roundtables with industry leaders, government ministers and officials. This plays to my strengths as a confident and engaging speaker and facilitator.
I laid the foundations for my Board roles by taking the “Board Ready” course from Bird&Co which covered the formal and informal roles of Directors, and what it takes to be effective in the role.
My Approach
Governance matters, and that requires a board that is run well and can represent the interests of the owners and broader stakeholders. Ultimately we are there to hold the executive to account and ensure they deliver their promises and mitigate risks. This requires independence and candour, and acting as an inclusive choreographer to make sure that everyone’s voice is listened to.
I also believe that good Chairs and NEDs can also be mentors, cheerleaders, supporters and constructive critics for the CEO and their team. We can provide fresh thinking and insights from our own experience, while always respecting the boundaries and respective responsibilities between the board and leadership team.
Being a Chair and NED plays to all my experience and attributes. As a coach and mentor I’m great at helping leaders chart a new course and overcoming the obstacles that are in their way. I love galvanising teams and coalitions around a worthwhile purpose, and ensuring the practical plans are in place to achieve it. And I’m happy being centre stage or behind the scenes, as required.
What people say…
“I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Jon for many years. He is an exemplary and highly effective Board Chair, providing support and challenge to the executive, ensuring that the organisation has a clear strategy, and maintaining the highest levels of integrity in governance. Always ready to lend an ear, offer constructive advice or get stuck in, but never losing sight of the separation of responsibilities between a Chair and his Chief Executive. I have also witnessed him chair hundreds of roundtables and events with leading policy makers and industry thinkers and never fail to be impressed by his ability to master the brief, manage the egos in the room, find the right question, and make sure the discussion stays on point – with Jon, the meeting is always in good hands.”
CEO, Industry Network
“Jon is simply the best in the business at navigating a conversation towards a productive and actionable conclusion, be it a fireside chat on stage with a keynote speaker or establishing consensus across a large room of diverse opinions - always inclusive, always making progress"
Global Exec in the Music Industry
“Jon puts other Chairs in the shade! He’s always ready with a surprising, apposite response to whoever he is hosting. From government leader to new kid on the block he is always interested, interesting, engaged and to the point.”
UK Film Producer