IoD announces Jonathan Geldart as new Director General

Jonathan has spent 30 years working in the professional services sector, most recently at Grant Thornton International Ltd, where he served on the global board prior to becoming responsible for the organisation’s interests in China. Earlier this year he appeared in front of the House of Commons International Trade Committee to give evidence on the Government’s efforts to increase trade with the country.

Jonathan lives in Yorkshire and combines his international experience with a long-standing connection with the IoD’s Yorkshire and North East region of which he was Chair until his appointment as Director General. As Director General he will be working closely with the Board and focused on delivering the Institute’s strategy of ‘closer to members’. Central to this is the empowerment of its UK branches to improve member experience and engagement as well as making the IoD relevant to the next generation of Directors.

Jonathan will start in the role on 1 October.

Charlotte Valeur, Chair of the IoD, welcomed Jonathan to the IoD:

“Jon impressed the board with his vision for the future of the IoD, and we believe he is the ideal person to refresh our offering to members. At this pivotal moment when the UK is trying to establish a new role on the global stage, Jon brings an international perspective combined with a deep understanding of the needs of directors. We are confident he will bring everyone together behind the goal of ensuring the IoD will be here, fulfilling its mission to support, develop and represent directors for another hundred years.”

Jonathan Geldart said:

“With current turmoil in both the political and business environments, I strongly believe that it is even more important to equip directors of all organisations with the tools to be resilient and agile in their response to a fast-changing world. The Institute of Directors has a crucial role to play in this and I’m honoured to have been chosen to lead it at this time. Increasing value for today’s directors, whilst making the IoD relevant to the directors of the future, is the task at hand.

“I believe skilled, knowledgeable directors improve their organisations, the communities in which they operate, and consequently the whole economy. The UK needs more directors who understand and responsibly discharge both their legal and societal duties. These directors need a strong IoD to provide them with guidance, representation, and a community of like-minded peers. Better directors make for stronger businesses, which makes for a better society.”

Jonathan Geldart – Biography

Prior to his role in China, Geldart was Grant Thornton International Ltd’s global board member responsible for the brand. He is the author of three books on China and in addition to being a Fellow of the IoD he is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He studied Geography and Archaeology at St. Andrews University specialising in underwater archaeology. Outside of work, his interests include hill walking and fell running. He was the navigator in a rally team for 20 years and following two years of training in extreme environments walked to the North Pole in 2016. He has completed other expeditions in Norway, the Canadian Arctic and the Everest region.