Jon studied geology as an undergraduate, before undertaking an MSc in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. He worked as a geology-natural sciences assistant curator and curator for 20 years, before becoming the Director of the Lapworth Museum of Geology, in 2012. Jon led the transformational redevelopment of the Lapworth Museum between 2014 and 2016, which saw the Lapworth re-orientate itself from an academic, departmental university, to an outward facing, publicly engaging, university museum which still supports teaching and research at UoB and within the wider HE sector. This project saw the Lapworth triple its visitor numbers and greatly diversify the audiences.
The collections of the Lapworth Museum are Designated by Arts Council England (ACE) as collections of national and international significance. The Lapworth Museum has also been an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation since 2018. This allows the Museum to develop its wider community engagement and also engage numerous creative practitioners in Arts and Science interactions via the museum
Jon oversees the strategic direction and management of the Museum.