Sarah Richards
Consultant
I’m Sarah Richards, a senior business leader with over 20 years experience. I left school at 16, having decided that full time education wasn’t for me, and desperate to get out into the world and start my ‘grown-up life’.
I was, however, smart enough to know that I didn’t actually know anything yet and I would need to keep learning if I wanted to achieve my ambitions. So, I began my lifelong journey of study in Business and Finance, Learning & Development, Psychology and Executive Coaching.
I have had arguably two careers (so far), the first in operational environments spanning supply chain, transport and Logistics, manufacturing, automotive, and construction sectors, and the second in Human Resources in similar sectors and in telecommunications too.
I’m passionate about understanding the ways we can learn to use our experiences to raise our self awareness and develop our EQ, how culture is created in organisations, the role that leadership plays in this, and ultimately how that drives individual and organisational behaviour.
I’ve been privileged to build and lead many teams throughout my career, and whilst it’s often one of the hardest things to do, it is also the most rewarding. I’m passionate about social mobility and the unique perspectives and challenges this brings to every aspect of life.
My biggest strength is curiosity, and my strongest values are courage and loyalty. This means I’m always open to learning. I love finding new ways to get the best from myself and others, and absolutely ‘have their backs’ whilst they try out new things. My style is straightforward and down to earth, but with a good dose of humor along the way.
Outside of work, I love property renovation and spending some hard-earned R&R time in sunnier climbs. I pretend to like exercise (because I know I need to do it for my health) but really, I’d rather be wearing a pair of killer heels.