Strategy

Richard is a distinguished professional renowned for his exceptional expertise in organisational and brand strategy. With a proven track record of success, he possesses a keen understanding of how businesses can strategically position themselves in the market to achieve their goals and enhance their brand image. Richard's strength lies in his ability to analyse complex market dynamics, identify key trends, and develop strategic initiatives that drive growth and maximize profitability. 

As an organisational strategist, Richard excels in assessing the internal workings of companies, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing effective strategies to optimize efficiency and streamline operations. His unique talent lies in aligning organisational objectives with broader business goals, ensuring that every aspect of an organization works harmoniously toward a common vision. 

Richard's brand strategy prowess is equally remarkable. He deeply understands the power of branding and its impact on consumer perception and loyalty. By conducting thorough market research and competitive analysis, he identifies a brand's unique value proposition and creates compelling strategies to communicate it effectively to the target audience. Richard's expertise lies in crafting cohesive brand identities, developing impactful messaging, and designing comprehensive marketing campaigns that resonate with customers, creating lasting brand impressions. 

Beyond strategic planning, Richard excels in building collaborative relationships with stakeholders, inspiring teams to embrace change and innovation, and fostering a culture of excellence within organisations. His ability to effectively communicate complex strategies and mobilize resources has been instrumental in achieving remarkable results for numerous businesses across various industries. 

Richard's appointment as the head of Squash Australia in 2015 presented significant challenges, including reduced funding and a low participation rate. Facing these obstacles, he co-designed a new strategic plan for 2016-2022 with state associations, creating six key strategic pillars. This approach enabled the development of expert working groups, providing vital support for the sport. 

Over the next six years, Squash Australia's results were outstanding. The sport topped the medal table at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, winning three gold medals and a bronze. A fresh new brand was developed to reflect its newfound success.

Squash Australia achieved a Category one rating from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the highest level of recognition, reflecting hard work and dedication. Importantly, Squash Australia achieved green ratings for Finance, Governance, Participation, and High-Performance, overcoming challenges faced in 2015. 

Richard's leadership and strategic vision enabled Squash Australia to achieve these remarkable results. Co-designing a new strategic plan and creating expert working groups laid the foundation for Squash Australia's success. The story serves as a powerful example of how strong leadership and strategic planning can overcome challenges and create lasting success.