Jonto’s purpose
To partner with individuals and teams in their development, for the betterment of their organizations, loved ones and themselves.
Jonto’s expertise
Leadership communication:
presence, presentations and media
Leadership development
Executive coaching
Facilitation
James Freemantle
James founded Jonto in 2022 to focus on partnerships and projects ‘he would want to do, even if he wasn’t being paid’, where people are afforded time, space, care and expertise to grow.
James is an experienced executive facilitator and coach specialising in leadership, media and communications. In 2008 he founded REDgum Communications which merged with Australian leadership development consultancy People Measures in 2018. There he became a partner and director for four years.
Adventures in media, teaching and performing arts form a strong foundation for James’s work. The challenging ‘Art and Practice of Leadership Development’ at Harvard stretched his thinking and offered frameworks to navigate complexity and develop leadership. Partnerships with CEOs, executives, L&D teams and HR professionals ensure that Jonto’s work in leadership development, media and presence is tailored and delivered intelligently and empathetically. The goal is always to create a trusting environment where people feel safe and supported enough to experiment and take the risks required to enhance their growth and increase the effectiveness of their organisations.
James has co-designed and/or delivered leadership development programs for many organisations including Smart Parking (UK, Germany, NZ, Australia), the Australian Tax Office, Dulux Group, Kraft-Heinz, Australian Public Service Commission, Australian Super, Nab, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Victoria), Dairy Australia and the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program. He has senior experience across government, private (technology, agriculture, healthcare, aviation, media & advertising, professional services, sports and financial services) and not-for-profit sectors.
An English, History and Education graduate, occasional farmer and furniture maker, James spent several years as a producer, director, actor and presenter on Australian TV, and moved to Moscow as a newsreader for contentious international News channel RT. He maintains his television presence as a presenter for Buchanan group’s Medifacts and has written and directed four films including Bush to Belly - 7 Indigenous kids, an Italian coffee machine and 500 bike riders in the Kimberley – screened on ABC International and NITV.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (English, History) (UniMelb)
Grad. Dip. Education (UniMelb)
Art and Practice of Leadership Development (Harvard Kennedy School, Boston)
AALI (Australian Adaptive Leadership Institute) Leadership Masterclass, Canberra
IECL Certificate in Executive Coaching, Levels 1 & 2 (Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership, Melbourne)
Experienced and accredited user of psychometric instruments including the Saville Wave and OPQ