Richard Spence
Richard is an Executive Coach with deep global corporate and media experience. He draws together flexible leadership approaches, skills from strategic consulting and award-winning creativity to drive fresh thinking with strong, practical outcomes.
A coach since 2008, Richard coaches boards, senior leaders and top teams across the UK, Europe, US and Asia-Pacific to define what they want to achieve and what they will do to achieve it.. Using his C-suite experience in many countries and sectors, he coaches leaders to be happier and more effective at work through building their talent to foster relationships, understand what makes them tick and find fresh, bigger-picture perspectives. The result is commercial skill and the confidence to adapt, evolve and deliver results with authority, inspiration and calm.
Richard runs global leadership development to increase trust, accountability and high-quality thinking and has co-authored a bespoke instrument, the Team Health Check, to step up eight critical aspects of team high-performance. He also works with leaders on their presence and purpose: he coached a Major-General to find a courageous new direction, a first-time CEO to transform their business.
Clients include: McKinsey, Siemens, Barclays, Standard Chartered, Citibank, Deloitte, Warner Bros, Disney, The Cabinet Office, the Army, Mastercard, TalkTalk, BT, Babcock, RSA, Random House, Expedia, Mars, Ebay, Pinsent Masons, Kantar, Mizuho Bank, London Stock Exchange Group, Lloyd’s, CBRE, World Animal Protection, MVF Global, Infrared Capital Partners, Montagu P.E., Centre for Entrepreneurs and the global WPP advertising group
Richard has Postgraduate Diplomas in Advanced Executive Coaching and Gestalt Coaching; he has Certificates in Systemic Coaching and Supervision and has completed a Master Programme in Systemic Work. He is an Association for Coaching accredited Executive Coach, qualified in Hogan, Hogan Team and the Leadership Circle Profile psychometrics and with extensive experience with MBTI and 360 profiles. He has an M. Sc. and Clinical Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy and an MA in Classics from Oxford University.
Previously a film director and screenwriter, Richard directed a Hollywood western and won fifteen international film awards including a Best Single Film BAFTA. Directing involves inspiring large, multi-skilled teams to deliver a vision to tough deadlines, influencing external stakeholders and collaborating with many complex personalities. Later, as Broadcast Strategist to government departments, Ministers and brands, Richard contracted commercial deals and advised the cabinet minister for Innovation on raising the public profile of science. He was a co-director of Central London Samaritans and first Chair of Trustees for the charity ‘The Listening Place’. Richard has two children and loves their wit, energy and kindness.
Richard has a Postgraduate Diploma (with Merit) in Advanced Executive Coaching, a Diploma in Gestalt Coaching and a Certificate in Systemic Coaching. He has completed a Master Programme in Systemic Work and is an Association for Coaching accredited Executive Coach. Richard has worked extensively with MBTI and 360 profiles and has a MA in Classics from Oxford University,
Previously a film director and screenwriter, Richard directed a Hollywood western and won fifteen international film awards including a Best Single Film BAFTA. He advised the Cabinet Minister for Innovation on raising the public profile of science, was a co-director of Central London Samaritans and is Chair of Trustees for the charity ‘The Listening Place’. Richard has two children and loves their wit more than their detritus.
TESTIMONIALS
“Looking at the whole not just the issue, probing deeper, joining the dots in a positive way: you have really made a difference to myself both inside and outside of the working day”COO, HR, STANDARD CHARTERED
“Coaching has been transformational. I could not recommend Richard highly enough. I am far happier in my position and therefore performing better, I deal directly with challenging issues and people, the organisation has a better focused, more confident individual as a result.”CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD MEMBER, KANTAR
“Taking the time to reflect on direction and purpose are incredibly useful. Richard’s coaching has really helped me understand what I want out of the next stage and how to achieve it”MANAGING PARTNER, DELOITTE
“Personable, straight talking and inventive, Richard was an immense support and guide.”CEO, YOUNG AND RUBICAM BRANDS
“I have delved into what drives me; my confidence, general demeanour and optimism have grown and this comes across with all levels including the board”GROUP CHIEF RISK OFFICER, BARCLAYS
“Great coach, awesome interest in people. Obviously thinks about each individual outside the team coaching sessions and comes back with extra thoughts and insights.”MCKINSEY LEADERS, EUROPE
“Looking at the whole not just the issue, probing deeper, joining the dots in a positive way: you have really made a difference to myself both inside and outside of the working day”COO, HR, STANDARD CHARTERED
“Coaching has been transformational. I could not recommend Richard highly enough. I am far happier in my position and therefore performing better, I deal directly with challenging issues and people, the organisation has a better focused, more confident individual as a result.”CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD MEMBER, KANTAR
Testimonials
“Coaching has been transformational. I could not recommend Richard highly enough. I am far happier in my position and therefore performing better, I deal directly with challenging issues and people, the organisation has a better focused, more confident individual as a result.”
“Taking the time to reflect on direction and purpose are incredibly useful. Richard’s coaching has really helped me understand what I want out of the next stage and how to achieve it”
“Personable, straight talking and inventive, Richard was an immense support and guide.”
“I have delved into what drives me; my confidence, general demeanour and optimism have grown and this comes across with all levels including the board”
“Great coach, awesome interest in people. Obviously thinks about each individual outside the team coaching sessions and comes back with extra thoughts and insights.”
“Looking at the whole not just the issue, probing deeper, joining the dots in a positive way: you have really made a difference to myself both inside and outside of the working day”