Jon was formerly Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (postponed until 2022) and was involved in the project since the inception in late 2015 having successfully led the bid for the tournament. The tournament, the biggest in the sports 127-year history, featured the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments being run simultaneously for the first time and a significant social impact programme which tackled inequalities through providing opportunities in hard-to-reach communities.
Jon is a sports management graduate with over 28 years’ experience in the sports industry. Previous roles have included PGA European Golf Tour, Manchester FA which involved a secondment to UEFA, Managing Director of a sports consultancy company, Chief Operating Officer for the Rugby League World Cup 2013, Director of Readiness for the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014, Director of Projects & People for the Rugby Football League and International Federation Tournament Commissioner for the Rugby League World Cup 2017, held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Current board roles include UK Sport Major Events Panel, Director of the 2023 Cycling World Championships, a member of Global Institute of Sport Industry Advisory Board, also lecturer in various topics including leadership, futurology and diplomacy.
Jon was awarded an OBE for services to Rugby League in the 2023 Kings Birthday Honours list and was also awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by Northumbria University in July 2023.