My story

A life in three chapters

I come from a long line of farmers, clergy and entrepreneurs. A love for nature, people and enterprise remain at the core of family life. I have spent a lifetime around conversations of change, including:

  • Executives wanting to reimagine their roles and workplaces

  • Managers hoping to build holistically successful teams

  • Family offices exploring spirituality and stewardship

  • Public figures needing friendship with no agenda

  • Change movements needing to broaden their network

In 2005, I married my Beth. We have four children: Freddie, Charles, Wilbur and Felicity. I live in Harpenden and spend as much time as possible in Cornwall, where my parents have a farm.

As for reformation, my primary act is to transform myself. Before all else, I believe that to be my most sacred duty. I do not profess to be the finished article: far from it and never will be. But I did become intentional about this many years ago. So, my works and writings are an invitation to learn alongside me rather than from me.

This is my story.

My Story

A Life In Three Short Chapters:
Upbringing, Transition and Work

James and Charlotte Featherby, Braemar Scotland, July 2005

My Upbringing: Parents with Purpose

Born and raised in England to James and Charlotte Featherby, I come from a long line of farmers, clergy and entrepreneurs. A passion for nature, faith and enterprise remains core to family life.

My childhood floated between two different worlds. In one was family and friends who’d been handed good fortune, worldly status and extensive opportunity. In the other were friends who’d chosen a highly missional, financially sacrificial life to serve the poor and marginalised. I learned early that riches in wealth did not equate to riches in life. And that a life of purpose did not equate to a life of constant contentment.

Professionally, there were also two stories at work. In one, my father was a highly successful corporate lawyer whilst my mother held the family fort. In the other, they were a couple led by their Christian faith to redeem the social purpose of business during an era when promoting that idea carried significant reputational risk. We would follow his journey as he spoke, wrote and hosted conversations across the cultural spectrum, nationally and globally, whilst my mother lent her unique form of prophetic insight.

Out of view, their financial choices were defined by radical generosity and a willingness to pilot innovations that might ignite a larger fire. For example, they pioneered what has become the impact investing market by funding the world’s first social impact bond alongside the Cadbury, Rockefeller, and J Paul Getty Jr Trusts.

My parents would never write these paragraphs about themselves. They are two of the most modest people I know. Their efforts have all been quietly pursued: no impact reporting, no branding, no PR, just commitment. So, whilst I ran this pass them out of respect, it was not without some editorial reservation…

As the eldest of five children, I had a front row seat to the blessings and burdens this combination of privilege and purpose brought with it. Watching this quietly humble but committed couple pursue who they felt called to be, regardless of prevailing winds, left its mark.

John and Beth Featherby, The Stafford London, Nov 2020

My Marriage: A Transition into Change

In 2005, at 23 years old, I married my Beth. In work, I began climbing the ladder of London’s real estate investment and corporate finance market. I had been gifted a fortunate start and the path that stretched out before me was, by most comparisons, safe, set and advantaged.

However, it wasn’t long before my soul found itself unsettled. Could I carry on down this road and be authentically fulfilled despite its comforts? Would I genuinely have run a good race?

Long story short, after a period of reflection alongside an ever supportive wife, I quit my job and exchanged a career of certainty for one of purpose.

Or so I thought.

Because what I imagined was merely a choice about doing something different, became just as much a process of being someone different.

By embarking on an effort to change the world “out there” I encountered just how true it was that the change that really mattered was the person “in here”. And, equally, the humbling and prophetic parallel that existed between the two.

“What difference can I make?” morphed into “who do I want to be?”. What counts as an honourable life? What does it mean to be a “good man”? A good father? A good husband? How do I make good choices as I navigate life’s grey areas? Is my pursuit of purpose an act of service or is it really about me?

I have found a chasm exists between an awareness of these questions and the reality of facing into them. And just how countercultural and challenging, yet powerful and freeing, simple ideas like sacrifice, service and surrender can be.

John Featherby, Tarrant Launceston, Dorset, Aug 2018

My Work: Two Core Efforts

In addition to the aforementioned work on myself, there has, of course, been some “real” work along the way: primarily across two distinct yet complimentary arenas.

1: Business as a force for good

I had an early passion for the potential of “good” companies. Acting on this over 15 years ago placed me at the vanguard of reimagining business-as-usual and the future of work. In doing so, I have seen it move from a fringe idea met at best with apathy to a mainstream concern. My approach has been to resource and advise various organisations from different disciplines. A number of those are now widely recognised leaders within their respective fields, including:

  • Resonance £215M impact fund - Founding Investment Committee

  • B Corp - Founding UK B Corp and B Lab Ambassador

  • Blueprint for Better Business - Senior Advisor

  • Pensions for Purpose - Non Exec Director

2: High trust, high relationship dialogues

For over 20 years I have contributed to, facilitated or been party to high trust, high relationship settings where people have been able to explore personal and professional questions free from pressure or judgement, including:

  • Executives needing to process their responsibilities

  • Politicians needing non-partisan spaces to find community

  • Landowners seeking a more spiritual form of stewardship

  • Church leaders wrestling with the burden of pastorship

  • Commonwealth reconciliation work to find healing and hope

  • Everyday men and women looking for regular fellowship