Skill set
Richard in a few words
I bring over 30 years of leadership experience as a C-suite executive and Non-Executive Director. A member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, my expertise spans agritech, tourism, and charitable and cultural sectors. With a proven track record in change management, business turnaround, financing, inclusion, and governance, I have consistently driven strategic transformation and organisational resilience in diverse industries.
Experience
- Sabzeh PartnersCo-founderJanuary 2018 - Today (7 years and 4 months)London, United KingdomConsulting with businesses to help grow the European start-up ecosystem.• Delivered a "Big Data" project to develop an Anti-Microbial Resistance Database for the EU.• 60 business plans delivered.• 17 board audits and recruitments completed.• 30 strategic partnerships negotiated.• 17 sales teams hired and trained.• Delivered pitch-decks for investors, devised commercialisation strategies for 105 start-ups and SMEs.Working in London, Paris, Barcelona, Oslo, Berlin, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.
- National Bovine Data CentreChief Executive OfficerApril 2015 - December 2017 (2 years and 9 months)Appointed to grow the business and contribute to the sustainable development of the European cattle industry.• Devised the strategy and led the work to engage with the EU Commission and the UK Government.• Enhanced the company's national and international profile to become one of the most influential and valued organisations supporting the cattle industry.• Won a bid for EIT funding of €325,000 to develop a milk analysis device.• Served on the Boards of two subsidiary companies and the European Cattle Breeders Confederation.• Served as an advisor on the UK Dairy Industry to the UK Government at Permanent Secretary level.
- National Library of ScotlandCompany SecretaryApril 2012 - April 2015 (3 years)Edinburgh, United KingdomResponsible for strategy, planning, communications, compliance, governance, audit, procurement and policy development.• Developed the library's five-year strategic plan. Obtained increased government funding (+7%) over the life of the strategy.• Led international fundraising, with a particular focus on Asia, generating over £12 million revenue.• Liaised between the Library, its Board and the Scottish Government.• Delivered rolling board recruitment process.• Delivered 78 audit reports to Scottish Government and Board.
Recommendations
Education
- BSc EconomicsUniversity of Wales, Aberystwyth1989
- MSc EconomicsUniversity of Wales, Aberystwyth1990
- MBACardiff University Business School1998
Certifications
- MarketingChartered Institute of Marketing1995