Born in Nottingham Jonathan was educated at Loughborough Grammar School.
He studied the 3 sciences at A-level with the intention of following his dream to be a Veterinarian Surgeon after his hero James Herriott. He worked on a farm and in a vets during the school holidays but was unable to attain the top grades necessary, so turned to the ‘family business of Textiles’.
He went to Leeds University to study and attain a BA (Hons) in Textile Management.
From University he joined Courtaulds Textiles as a Graduate Entry in Sales and Marketing with their Northern Spinning Division. A Group of 26 mills making various yarns in their traditional Lancashire Cotton Mills.
After 2 years he joined his father’s Textile Machinery business, representing top hosiery, socks and knitwear machine builders in Italy, Germany and France. Selling the latest innovative textile machines to UK and Irish textile manufacturers.
Jonathan actually sells the modern-day version of the Framework Knitting machine invented in 1589, that originally contributed to the start of the industrial revolution.
He subsequently completed an MBA with the Open University.
He joined the Framework Knitters as Liveryman in 1998, and became a Court Assistant in 2012; Under Warden in 2024; and Upper Warden in 2025.
An enthusiastic Framework Knitter, he has swum in the Inter-Livery Swimathon; participated in the Pancake race as ‘Sir Knit-A-Lot’, and played Pétanque. He helps run the ‘Knitters’ stalls at the Big Curry Lunch, and the Red Cross Christmas Market.
He is on the Education Committee and enjoys visiting Universities to interview ‘knit’ students as part of their Student Bursary and Awards program.
He runs his own Textile Machinery Agency in Loughborough, in the East Midlands heartland of the UK knitting industry.
Married to Beverley, with 2 daughters Bryony and Alicia.
He played rugby, cricket and basketball in his youth. A fanatical Notts County FC supporter, and Leicester Tigers, as well as being Secretary for Hoveringham Cricket Club having recently retired ‘to leave it to those who can actually play!’
