Our founders.
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan has been a long-term advocate of values-based business practice. A former Business Ambassador working with HRH Prince of Wales at Business in the Community, he has over 30 years’ director level experience in the marcomms and construction sectors.
As Head of Social Purpose for a UK investment manager, he developed an energetic multi-million pound charitable programme which focussed on core-costs support – supporting the business of charity.
Jonathan co-founded The Oxford Institute of Charity, alongside the think tank, Charity Futures, and purpose-led learning platform, Utopy.
Katy Brown
Katy is a purpose-led strategist and hands-on doer. She has over 10 years of diverse, global experience in management consulting and financial services, coupled with a passion for meaningful purpose and social impact.
Katy has worked alongside early-stage, transformative organisations to help achieve their growth potential. Katy’s core skill is her ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on doing, to turn ideas into reality.
Katy is a committee member for Philanthropy Impact, supporting the growth of philanthropy and social investment. She is a crisis volunteer with Shout, the UK’s crisis text service, and a volunteer consultant with Inspiring Scotland and The Cranfield Trust.
Jonathan Black
Jonathan has been Director of the Careers Service at the University of Oxford since 2008 after a broad career including blue-chip management consultancy, international academic publishing, and co-founding a successful medical publishing start-up.
Jonathan is a Fellow and Tutor for Welfare at New College, Oxford, Chair of the Oxford Hub charity promoting social enterprise and volunteering for students and residents across Oxfordshire, a Governor of Queen Anne’s School, Caversham, and member of the Oxford Alumni Society Board.
Jonathan writes the fortnightly, ‘Dear Jonathan’ column for readers’ careers questions in the Financial Times.
The University of Oxford.
A unique partnership.
Skylark Works has unique links with the University of Oxford, including the University Careers Service.
Our collaboration means we may engage members from this world-leading centre of teaching and research to deliver valuable insights to our clients.
Students may gain opportunities for experiential learning through our social purpose projects, while academics and alumni can help further our positive social impact.
Baroness Jan Royall.
Jan is the University of Oxford’s board observer and Principal of Somerville College.
Under the last Labour government, she was Leader of the House of Lords and a member of Gordon Brown’s cabinet. She then served for 5 years as Leader of the Opposition in the Lords. Jan was appointed to the Lords in 2004 and became a government whip with responsibility for health, international development, foreign affairs, equality and Northern Ireland.
Jan has always been passionate about education and equality of opportunity and has taken many associated Bills through Parliament from the government and opposition benches. She has worked on many policy areas including citizenship and democratic engagement and is a strong supporter of social action for young people.
Our associates.
We are supported in delivery by a trusted team of experienced associates and partners.
Our associates are highly experienced within purpose-led environments. They are high calibre team and delivery leaders, able to provide practical support to our clients making a positive social impact.
Becoming a Skylark associate offers the opportunity of a highly fulfilling role where you can make a meaningful and positive social impact. We are always looking for talented people of the highest calibre, with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills, to join us.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Skylark associate, please do get in touch. We look forward to the conversation.