The Speakers

Jim Woodhill is Director of Systemic Link Consulting, an Honorary Associate of the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University, and Senior Consultant at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. The red thread of Jim’s professional work is engaging individuals and organisations in dialogue and learning to create a more sustainable and equitable world. He grew up in Australia and has a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Sydney and a PhD in Political Economics from the Australian National University. He works on global sustainability issues related to agriculture and food, is an experienced facilitator of strategic planning, dialogue and foresight processes, and has worked in numerous countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Jim has a deep interest in holistic approaches to education having worked with the Australian Outward Bound School and with an innovative university faculty that focused on problem based learning. He lives in Oxford, loves being in the outdoors and sea kayaking on the English coast. Jim is a member of the Education Committee where his professional background and wealth of experience are invaluable.

Madeleine Bonham Jones was born in Australia and lived there until she was 16. After moving to England, she attended St Clare’s from 2011 until 2013. She then studied the history of art at the Courtauld Institute. Whilst studying at the Courtauld she volunteered on a tall ship and started working there in the summers. This ignited an interest for working at sea. She began a cadetship in the Merchant Navy at Warsash Maritime Academy to study maritime navigation and operations. During her cadetship, she was able to work on board cruise ships, offshore vessels, and a research ship. After attaining her Officer of the Watch Licence, she began working at the British Antarctic Survey as a Third Officer.

Last year she started life ashore and undertook a postgraduate diploma in law. So far, she has had a varied and interesting career across a range of industries. This has exposed her to many types of leaders and leadership styles. A good leader in her opinion is someone who can maintain a good overview of the situation whilst ensuring that every team member is valued, and their opinion heard. They must be confident in their decision-making but be able to acknowledge when they have made a mistake and work towards a solution.