John Shakeshaft’s career as a diplomat, banker, director and academic trustee has covered responsibility, finance and governance internationally.
He is a trustee and chair of finance and resources at Cardiff University, also of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of the Home. He was deputy chair of Council at Cambridge University (2010-18), trustee of the Institute of Historical Research (2004-20) and the Bush Theatre (2004-12).
He is a member of the investment committee, Trinity College, Cambridge and the acceptance of gifts committee, British Academy and a director of investment manager, Corestone, AG. John chaired the Economy Bank, NV, specialising in trade finance with Turkey and the Levant (2004-18), was a director and audit chair of Tele2, AB and Kinnevik, AB (2003-18), managing investments globally, chair of various listed funds active in the Middle east (2007- 18), a director of TT electronics plc (2007-17) and Questair, Inc (2004-12).
He was previously a partner of Lazard, Baring and Morgan Stanley in corporate finance and capital markets, principally EMEA. He served in HM Diplomatic Service in Brussels (EU), Tehran and Addis Ababa.
He has a lifelong interest in the people, places and many histories and legacies of the Ottoman empire. John held a Harkness Fellowship at Princeton and UC Berkeley and was an undergraduate at Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was elected CBRL honorary treasurer in November 2020. In December 2023, he was elected Chair of CBRL. Currently, he continues as Acting Treasurer until a new Honorary Treasurer is appointed.