Building your governance career

Jonathan started his business life at global advertising agency Leo Burnett in London before moving to Hong Kong in 1994, where he helped found the strategic planning department. It was in Hong Kong that Jonathan discovered that you could be paid to run workshops. He hasn't looked back since and still is stunned that people want to pay him to do something that is such fun!

Jonathan has run Make Happy, a creative facilitation and innovation agency, for thirteen years. The focus is helping clients foster creativity, innovation and adaptability within their teams and organisations. Make Happy does this by using a range of creative problem-solving and facilitation techniques, including Lego Serious Play, Design Thinking and team building.

Jonathan is a Fellow of the RSA, a member of the Academic Council of the G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture in Mumbai, and a trainer and facilitator in Lego Serious Play methods. He teaches the foundation course at the CEF's annual CPSI Conference at The University of Buffalo, NY. 

Emily Ford is a Policy Adviser at the Chartered Governance Institute, working with government, regulators and stakeholders to promote good governance. Her two priority areas are the role of governance in successful ESG strategies across all sectors, and the effective governance of not-for-profit organisations, incorporating the charity and educational sectors. In her role, she conducts and produces research on sector trends, publishes practical guidance for governance professionals, and engages with government and regulators on key issues.

She has a background in corporate communications, think tanks and third-sector campaigning. She graduated with an MPhil in International Development from the University of Cambridge and a First-class BA in French and German from King’s College London.

Thelma is the Deputy Secretary at Nationwide Building Society and a dual qualified solicitor and chartered secretary. Thelma originally trained and worked in private practice for over 10 years specialising in litigation. After moving in house to Nationwide, she has performed a series of roles within legal, risk and governance culminating in a role within secretariat.

Thelma took her exams to qualify as a company secretary via the fast-track route with the CGI.

Catherine is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience advising large professional services firms on contractual and litigious matters, both as a private practice lawyer at RPC LLP for 9 years and in-house at the accountancy firm BDO LLP, for 11 years. Having advised senior management at the firm for 8 years on various governance matters, two years ago, Catherine fully transitioned to a newly created governance role at BDO and she now leads the Governance team at the firm.

Over the past year, she has been studying for the Governance Qualifying Programme with the CGI on a fast track basis and, as of August 2024, is pleased to say she is a Graduate of the programme.

Krishan is currently group company secretary at the gym group plc, a small cap leisure business. Krishan has spent over 10 years working with listed businesses ensuring that corporate governance principles and best practice are embeded in day-to-day activities.

Samira is Director of Trust Governance at the Confederation of School Trusts. She has been involved in school governance for over a decade. Prior to joining CST, she served as Head of Governance and Company Secretary at Academies Enterprise Trust, a trust with 57 schools. She started her career in governance with Ark Schools, as a regional governance officer.

Before she moved to the U.K. with her family in 2010, Samira was a criminal defence attorney in California representing men on death row on their habeas corpus petitions for almost 12 years.

Connor is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the legal and governance sector, specialising in supporting PLC governance teams and functions. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in recruitment campaigns across all levels within the governance field, from trainee company secretarial positions to senior roles such as Group Company Secretary and General Counsel.

His extensive expertise and deep understanding of the sector have made him a trusted partner in building and enhancing governance teams and functions.

Peter Swabey is Policy & Research Director at The Chartered Governance Institute. He is responsible for developing the profile of the Institute to members, regulators, policymakers, employers and other stakeholders by delivering thought leadership and lobbying campaigns aligned to The Institutes strategy and promoting strong governance as the vital ingredient for success in organisations.

Peter has 30 years' experience of the share registration industry, gained at Lloyds TSB Registrars and subsequently Equiniti and Equiniti David Venus amongst others. He is a member of the CBI Companies Committee, the QCA Corporate Governance Expert Group and the Shareholder Voting Working Group, as well as being an Alternate Member of the Takeover Panel and a past chairman of the The Chartered Governance Institute Registrars Group.