Corporate Wisdom: In conversation with Jon Geldart
- Date: Thursday 13 November 2025, 18:00 – 20:00
- Location: University House
- Cost: Free of charge
Exploring personal branding, leadership, and impact in a changing world.
Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation with Jon Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors, as he shares his perspectives on what it means to lead with authenticity and purpose in a complex, fast-changing world.
With a career that spans global boardrooms and extreme environments - from the brewing industry to the North Pole - Jon brings a unique lens on how personal branding and leadership intersect. He’ll explore:
- What is a personal brand - and why does it matter?
- How personal and corporate brands influence one another
- What makes certain leaders truly stand out in a crowded, noisy world
- How authenticity, clarity, and resilience shape credibility and trust
Through stories of challenge, adventure, and leadership at the highest levels, Jon will encourage you to reflect on your own personal brand and how you can use it to lead change and inspire others.
Whether you’re an experienced leader or an emerging voice, this session offers practical insights on building influence, leading organisations through uncertainty, and shaping your own path with confidence.
Register here
Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | Refreshments and networking |
| 18:30 | Talk followed by Q&A |
| 19:30 | Drinks and networking |
About Jon Geldart
Jonathan was appointed Director General of the Institute of Directors in October 2019. Prior to this, he spent 30 years working in the professional services sector, most recently at Grant Thornton International Ltd, where he was responsible for the organisation’s interests in China and previously served as a global board member overseeing brand strategy.
He has a long-standing connection with the IoD, having chaired the Yorkshire and North East region before his appointment as Director General. Jonathan is the author of three books on China and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Directors and the Royal Geographical Society.
He studied Geography and Archaeology at the University of St Andrews, 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, is a qualified UK Mountain Leader, and has walked unsupported to the North Pole, as well as completed expeditions in Norway, the Canadian Arctic, and the Everest region.
Jon is an active member of the Leeds University Business School's International Advisory Board.
About Corporate Wisdom
The Business School's flagship event series, Corporate Wisdom, welcomes talks from key business figures from across the globe, representing a variety of sectors, who offer expert knowledge and insight into a range of current issues affecting organisations today.