The Thouron community is truly filled with some of the most interesting and talented people. One of the things we find most enjoyable is seeing where life takes our Scholars and Alumni — Jonathan Powell (Br’77) is a testament to the incredible achievements of our Thouron Alumni Community.
After first joining the U.K. Government in 1979 as a part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO), Jonathan has served many roles and now serves as the National Security Adviser for the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
As we explore a bit more about Jonathan’s journey to his current role, we are also thrilled to share that he will be serving as the Keynote Speaker at our First Annual Thouron Alumni Symposium to be held 18-19 January 2025 at Dartmouth House in London. We hope our fellow Thouron Alumni will join us!
Register Here by 5 January 2025.
A Man Destined for the U.K. Government
Jonathan Powell was born into a well-regarded family in the U.K. He is the son of John Frederick Powell, a former Royal Air Force officer, and his brother Charles Powell was Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister under Margaret Thatcher (1983-1990) and John Major (1990-1991). Given his family’s years working in the Government, in many ways it feels Jonathan was destined to do great things.
Jonathan’s education began at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and King’s School, Canterbury. He later studied History at Oxford University and then, as a Thouron Scholar, at the University of Pennsylvania.
In his younger years, from 1978 to 1979, he was a broadcast journalist with the BBC and Granada TV, and from 1979 to 1994 a British Diplomat. He served as Chief of Staff for Prime Minister Tony Blair from 1995 to 2007.
Jonathan Powell Serves as a Leader for Peace
During the Blair government, Jonathan was the only senior adviser to last the whole period of Blair’s leadership. He then served as Chief British Negotiator in Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2007. In that role, he worked on the Northern Ireland peace talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement. He would go on to be appointed as a special envoy under multiple prime ministers due to his ability to resolve conflicts with factions within countries abroad as well as legitimate government bodies.
In addition to working alongside the likes of Tony Blair, Jonathan worked on the negotiations with ETA in the Basque country, on the negotiations in Colombia with the FARC, and on the peace negotiations in Mozambique.
Bringing All His Skill and Knowledge to His Current Role
Currently, Jonathan Nicholas Powell is Britain’s National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leads Inter Mediate — a charity that aids in resolving international conflicts.
He is the author of ‘Great Hatred, Little Room: Making Peace in Northern Ireland’, ‘The New Machiavelli, How to Wield Power in the Modern World’ and ‘Talking to Terrorists, How to End Armed Conflict’.
If you are interested in hearing more about Jonathan’s journey, you can listen to his episode of “The Mediator’s Studio” podcast titled “Jonathan Powell on angel papers and influencing the great Satan.” Listen here.
There is no doubt that Jonathan has impacted many lives through his negotiations and mediations. We are proud to call him a member of the Thouron Alumni Community and thrilled that he will be the Keynote Speaker at our First Annual Thouron Alumni Symposium.
Register Here by 5 January 2025.