Strategic Government Level Thinking: Major General Jonathan Shaw, Director Special Forces – Inspiring Leadership interview with Jonathan Bowman-Perks

Major General Jonathan Shaw has 32 years experience getting things done on operations, with an intimate knowledge of government, and of the development of policy and strategy at the highest levels, both nationally and globally. He possesses a strong leadership record, characterised by innovative anticipation of and reaction to challenges, sharp analysis and problem solving, and organisational re-design and leadership to achieve goals. Jonathan is currently using his extensive security, geo-political, and strategic planning experience to achieve commercial success. He has a growing public speaking role, on the topics of leadership (particularly to financial institutions), cyber security and geo-politics.

Educated at Sedbergh School and Trinity College, Oxford, where he studied PPE, Shaw was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment in 1981. He was a platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment during the Falklands War. Having attended Staff College, Camberley between 1989 and 1990, he was appointed Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in 1997. After attending the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in 2000, he was made Commander of 12th (Mechanized) Brigade in 2002 and subsequently commanded the Multi-National Brigade (Centre) in Kosovo.

He was appointed Director Special Forces in 2003, and having attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2006, he became General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division (South East), Iraq in January 2007 and went on to be Chief of Staff at HQ Land Forces in September 2007. He became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (International Security Policy) in March 2009 and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Global Issues) in January 2011. His responsibilities included Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear Policy, Arms Control and Counter Proliferation and Cyber.

His Linkedin site describes him as:

A Major General with 32 years experience getting things done on operations, with an intimate knowledge of government, and of the development of policy and strategy at the highest levels, both nationally and globally. Possesses a strong leadership record, characterised by innovative anticipation of and reaction to challenges, sharp analysis and problem solving, and organisational re-design and leadership to achieve goals.
Currently using extensive security, geo-political, and strategic planning experience to achieve commercial success. A growing public speaking role, on the topics of leadership (particularly to financial institutions), cyber security and geo-politics.
Seeking further opportunities to put political, strategic planning, government relations and cyber security expertise to good and fulfilling use.

Specialties: Motivating people/leadership
International and geo-politics
Strategic/government level thinking and operating
Organisational effectiveness
Cyber Security