Jonathan is the Chair of the Policy Connect Board of directors and also supports the organisation in an executive capacity. He joined the Policy Connect Board in July 2022, having previously been Chief Executive of Policy Connect from May 2016 to August 2021. Jonathan’s variable career has included being a farm worker, care assistant, social worker and local councillor before being elected to Parliament for three terms between 1997-2010.
During his time as an MP he was: a member of the Environmental Audit and Education Select Committees; Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education; Government Whip; Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs; Minister for Disabled People; and also Regional Minister for South East England. Jonathan led a consultancy company, the Shaw Business Partnership, supporting a range of organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors. He co-founded the housing and employment consortium Give us a Chance, developed an award winning partnership to assist ex-offenders gain employment and established a leadership programme for the public sector.
Jonathan is currently the Strategic Director for Kent Further Education. He is also the Chair of the Kent-based charity the Blackthorn Trust which assists with mental and physical rehabilitation and is based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner.
