Jonathan Samuel
Biography
Jonathan Samuel joined the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) in August, 2025.
Jon is a highly respected sustainability leader with over 30 years of international experience across the mining, infrastructure, and environmental sectors. He was a partner at the international sustainability consultancy ERM and has held senior executive roles at Anglo American Plc and De Beers, where he led pioneering work in social performance, economic development, sustainability strategy, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Most recently, he served as a Senior Adviser to the Chief Executive’s Office and as Project Director/start-up Chief Executive for De Beers’ Diamonds for Development Fund in Botswana.
Jon has played a central role in shaping global sustainability standards, including as Co-Chair of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) and as a long-standing representative to the International Council on Mining and Metals. He has also contributed to sustainable finance innovation, helping to structure Anglo American’s first sustainability-linked loan and bond.
He has an MPhil in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge, and a BSc Econ in Economics and Geography from University College London.
He has held several Board and industry body appointments, including being a: Senior Associate at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, a Director of the Development Partner Institute for Mining, Chair of the Anglo American Foundation, and a Trustee of the Woodsmith Foundation.
Member, Export Guarantees Advisory Council
Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) provides advice to UK Export Finance and its ministers on the policies UK Export Finance applies when doing business including:
- environmental impacts and human rights
- sustainable lending
- bribery and corruption
- disclosure, including freedom of information requests