Jonathan Smith is a leading member of Spencer Stuart’s CEO and Boards Practice. During his 23 years with the firm, he has worked with clients on more than 700 CEO, board director and other top management searches and succession assignments. These include 29 FTSE 100/250 company CEOs and over 45 private company CEO appointments, many of whom represent a range of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.

Business leadership experience

  • Jonathan has also recruited chairs and non-executive directors for a broad range of clients across retail and multi-site, consumer service, media and sports and consumer companies, as well as other multinational corporations and private-equity firms.
  • A noted expert on leadership and CEO succession, Jonathan is the author of A Blueprint for CEO Succession, CEO succession - making the right choices, Four Hidden CEO Succession Risks and How to Avoid Them, Leadership in a Covid-19 world - The Power of Humility and other leading management articles. Jonathan is also a qualified coach with Meyler Campbell.
  • Previously, Jonathan worked in strategy consultancy with Bain and Co. and, after several years at J Sainsbury plc, he joined the board of Somerfield plc as group development director.

Jonathan is a graduate of Bristol University and has a Diploma in corporate finance from the London Business School. He is a member of the Royal Academy Advisory Board, a former international hockey player and a former Governor of the leading girls’ school, St. Mary’s Calne.

Practice Areas