Jon McIntosh

In September 2012, Jon and Ed Vainker (Sauvé Fellow 2008-09) opened Reach Academy Feltham, a new state-funded school in the UK. Jon served as Chairman through the set-up phase and the first year of the school and then as a Governor. Jon is co-founder of Reach Cambridge Ltd, an academic summer school for international students in Cambridge, UK. It now has over 300 students and 40 staff each summer. The school focuses on academia, community service, travel around the UK and includes lectures on the theme ‘International Social Responsibility.’

Alongside his company he and Ed Vainker formed The Reach Foundation, whose remit includes increasing access to education for Britain’s socially disadvantaged youth. It was this Foundation that led to the founding of ‘Reach Academy Feltham.’ More recently, Jon co-founded ‘Mercurial Pictures Ltd,’ a film production company which is producing a documentary film following a class at Reach Academy through their first year at school. The project received an award from the Sauve Scholars Alumni Fund and Jon was also selected for the ‘Future Producers Course’ run by Tribeca and Sheffield DocFest.

Jon graduated with a BA and Master’s degree in Classics from Cambridge University. He was the President of his College, Girton, and also took the opportunity to learn to fly with the University Air Squadron as well as play plenty of sports. He has traveled widely, often with a purpose such as archaeology, conservation, teaching, ski instructing or simply the challenge of interacting with a new culture.

Jon evaluated his progress with Reach Cambridge and refocused the organization to incorporate more socially conscious goals. In this endeavor, he was greatly aided by Sauvé Mentor, David Lank, about whom Jon says “the most inspiring, caring and positive lecturer”. In early September 2008, Jon visited Sauvé House and gave a presentation on the Fellows’ community project with LOVE (Leave Out Violence).

In May 2015, Jon was awarded an Alumni Collaboration Fund grant, alongside his project partner, Sauvé Fellow Ed Vainker to help fund a documentary on educational disadvantage in the UK.