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I have known and worked with Richard over a number of years while he undertook various roles in Innovation and Brand Change. While technically sound, his skill set for me is his ability as a people manager, and co-ordinating teams to deliver against what they themselves consider to be challenging targets.

He has an ability to connect with team members of different disciplines, and unify them to a common purpose. He holds them account to deliver what is required even if it goes beyond the usual expectations, but does it in a way that is supportive and engenders positivity within the team. He cares passionately about delivery, but is compassionate to the team members. He never accepts no until he is sure that in his mind and of others that he has exhausted all possibilities.

On a global roll out of an internal Diageo Innovation Process his tenacity, belief in doing the ‘right thing’, and manner he brought to explain context to the change required to bring success not only to the process change but also the benefit to teams across multiple disciplines resulted in a hugely successful implementation.

I personally learnt more from Richard than he probably realises and that is a mark of his humility  

 

CHRIS ARMES - Innovation Technical Director (APAC) and Innovation Global Processing at Diageo

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Dickie rapidly builds team and organizational capability to underpin growth ambitions that meet the needs of global and local markets. He is very effective at gleaning a range of cross functional insights and synthesizing input into results-driven plans. He is astute at orchestrating cultural, stylistic leadership, and functional differences to land win-win solutions. Dickie invests personal ownership and pride in his work. Collaboration, authenticity, and curiosity are a few of his leadership traits that enable him to create and nurture ideas from concept to shelf. 

 

WENDY BEHR - VP Global Research and Development at Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.

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I have worked with Richard (Dickie) for approximately 20 years at Diageo, and would recommend him highly. He is an architect of innovation success, and an inspirational leader of teams. His experience spans the full end to end innovation process with numerous successful launches and initiatives to his credit, and he has proven success across international and multi cultural environments. He has well developed networking skills and is well known, and admired, across the 30,000+ population at Diageo. He always delivers on goals, and is provocative in challenging his team, and the organisation, to reach ever higher.  

 

DAVE MADIGAN - Global Innovation & Brand Change Director at Diageo

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I have known and worked with Dickie since 2010 – working closely together during our time based in Asia with Diageo. Dickie is a leader in innovation. He has deep functional experience of product packaging and liquid development and also business innovation processes. He works seamlessly with colleagues from across the business and industry – leading and facilitating delivery of complex innovation and change projects. He delivers on “possibilities” and motivates his teams to create and deliver solutions. Dickie has an engaging style, tenacity and focus on results that also brings discipline and governance to processes and teams whilst ensuring creativity and innovation is delivered.  

 

GUY DUMBRELL - Over twenty years in senior manufacturing and technical leadership roles.

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I had the honour to be under Dickie’s coaching and leadership when he was the Innovation and Brand Change Director in Singapore. He is a strong team leader, a great communicator and a strong influencer with key leverage in his Technical expertise, planning and execution strategy and engagement with his stakeholders. In addition, his purpose driven motto - Be the change he wants to see in the world and Be the best for the people around him, emphasized on his desire to strive for excellence and build meaningful relationships and be the beacon of light for his family, friends and colleagues. This undying spirit motivates and also help shape my career compass, leadership qualities and personal purpose.  

 

ZHIJIAN JULIAN SU - Brand Change Director, Singapore