The Beppe Croce Trophy is awarded for an individual's outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing and is presented in memory of Beppe Croce, President of the IYRU from 1969 to 1986. Previous winners include His Majesty the late King Olav of Norway, His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain and Paul Elvstrom.

Jonathan has been awarded the Beppe Croce Trophy in recognition of his commitment to the sport of sailing and the time he has contributed through his considerable administrative ability to yachting as a whole and to the IYRU in particular.

Jonathan has been a committee member of the IYRU for thirty years, having been appointed to the Permanent Committee in 1964 where he still serves today. A member of the Class Policy and Organisation Committee from 1965 to 1990, he was its Chairman from 1979 to 1990, and became a Vice President in 1970 culminating twenty years later in 1990.

An active yachtsman all his life, Jonathan twice represented Great Britain at the Olympic Regatta, in 1956 winning a bronze medal in the Dragon class. He has also been involved on the International Jury for four Olympic Regattas.

In 1990 Jonathan was awarded the IOC Silver Medal for services to the Olympic Movement. Today, Jonathan sails actively in the 5.5 Metre Class and is still a force to be reckoned with.