Jon Shortland

Jon Shortland has a diverse work experience spanning multiple industries and roles. Jon began their career as a Homelessness Officer at Northampton Borough Council in 1986. Jon then moved on to the Department for Education as an Executive Officer for a brief period in 1987. Subsequently, they joined Northamptonshire County Council, where they held the position of Head of Transport Policy, Performance, and Knowledge Management for almost 20 years. In 2006, Jon joined Amey as an Account Director, where they were responsible for the £30M p.a. Bedfordshire Highways MAC contract until 2016. Jon then joined Ringway Jacobs as a Schemes Manager from 2016 to 2017. Currently, Jon is working at Bedford Borough Council, holding key positions such as Chief Officer of Planning, Infrastructure & Economic Growth since June 2021, Chief Officer of Planning and Infrastructure Development from March 2020 to June 2021, and Chief Officer of Planning and Highways from October 2017 to March 2020.

Jon Shortland attended Moulton School from 1976 to 1983, where they studied Economics, History, and Maths. In 1983, they enrolled at the University of East Anglia and completed a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Economics & Politics in 1986. Later, in 1999, they pursued a Diploma in Management Studies at the University of Northampton, which they successfully completed in 2001, earning a distinction.