Trusted by the world's most powerful organisations

Appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Publicis Worldwide, Richard led the operational restructuring of one of the world's largest communications networks — spanning 80+ markets, 15,000 people, and relationships with the world's most demanding clients. The mandate was to build a genuinely integrated operating model at a time when the industry was fracturing under the weight of digital disruption.

Working directly with Apollo's operating team, Richard provided board-level advisory across multiple portfolio companies — from pre-acquisition commercial diligence to post-close value creation and exit preparation. Engagements spanned consumer, media, and business services sectors, with a focus on brand positioning, leadership capability, and revenue growth.

Across a series of engagements with major automotive manufacturers, Richard advised on brand strategy at a moment of profound industry disruption — the shift to electric, the rise of Chinese competitors, and the erosion of legacy brand equity. The work focused on what endures when the product changes: heritage, trust, and the emotional architecture of a brand.