Jonathon Hanks

Expertise

Developing and implementing corporate sustainability strategies and stakeholder engagement processes. Advising governments on environmental policy instruments. Teaching and lecturing in corporate sustainable development.

Jonathon is the Convenor of the international team responsible for drafting the International Organisation for Standardisation’s global standard on social responsibility (ISO 26000).

Previous experience

Jonathon has many years of practical experience of working in the corporate sector, having started his career in the corporate environmental divisions of Eskom (South Africa’s electricity supply utility) and AECI (an explosives and petrochemicals company). During his time at Eskom and AECI he represented industry on various national and international policy reform initiatives.

Following a period in Sweden, where he lectured and undertook research and consultancy work for various public and private sector organisations, he returned to South Africa in 2001 to consult and teach. He has extensive experience in a range of sectors including financial services, petrochemicals, retail, telecoms and professional services, as well as national and provincial government.

Jonathon maintains an interest in academia and is a visiting senior lecturer at the UCT Graduate School of Business and a Senior Associate of the University of Cambridge’s Programme for Industry. He is also an Eisenhower Exchange Fellow.

Education

1996-1997: MSc. in Environmental Management, International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lund University (Sweden)

1988-1989: Master of Law (LLM), London School of Economics and Political Science (UK) (cum laude)

1986-1988: BA (Hons) Law, University of Durham (UK)

Other passions

Downhill skiing, sea-kayaking, micro-lighting, hiking and photography.