Head of Sales & Marketing

Richard joined the company in 2019. As our Head of Sales and Marketing, he focuses his energy on the strategic growth of the business, specifically on how we can improve customer experience and streamline our sales process.

"For me, there’s not a typical day at Bluestone – but I try to find a balance between project work, understanding our performance, effective communication, problem solving, keeping things moving and spending time with the people and teams across the business. My aim is to have happy customers, a happy team, and a growing business.”

Richard is always able to step back to see the bigger picture and has an unfailing sunny disposition, but when asked what he likes most about his job, Richard said:

“The challenge, constant change, the people and that when we get it right, we’re helping businesses across the UK grow and develop.”

The early days

Richard grew up in Twickenham. He has early memories of re-creating the Tour of Britain rally car race along the edge of his mum’s flower beds with toy cars, but for the most part it sounds like his approach to life was as energetic then as it is now.

“I wanted to have a go at everything that I could – I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up but tried everything from sports to drama, and I loved being active. If I had free time I’d usually be riding my bike or swimming. I was never really into computer games as when all my mates had a Spectrum 48k my parents bought an Acorn Electron – because it worked with the school’s BBC computers – it was rubbish!”

Never a shrinking violet, at school Richard was prone to rule-breaking, but he “got away with a lot” as somehow, he always managed to stay on his teachers’ good sides.

“The most important lesson that I took from school was that everyone’s interesting if you take the time to find out what’s interesting about them.”

The world of work

Before arriving at Bluestone, Richard’s career was varied to say the least. Richard’s first steps into the world of work were helping out at the firm his dad worked at, and then Saturday jobs including making sandwiches and selling TVs. After a “brief” stint studying economics at Leeds University, he went on to roles with a roadside assistance company, merchant banking and then a very successful career in media sales. After 22 years in media sales Richard fancied a change of industry, and after meeting the team at Bluestone a new career in finance began.

Richard has always enjoyed performing and has even made the occasional TV appearance as an extra, including a few appearances on the ITV soap, Emmerdale.

Getting to know Richard

If Richard could change one thing about the world:

"I would make everyone a little bit kinder.”

At the top of Richard’s bucket list:

“I’d very much like to visit Mauritius with my wife, and I’d love to try surfing in Hawaii.”

Richard’s life motto:

“Try it, you might like it!”

Which person does Richard most admire and why?

“Probably Nelson Mandela – he fought for what he wanted, possibly in the wrong way, but despite incredible adversity he educated himself and adapted to lead a cultural change in his country and across the world. Also Elvis – he is probably the most hero-worshipped man in history but he died on the toilet eating a cheeseburger which shows that – deep down – all men really are disgusting!”

What is your biggest pet peeve?

“People who eat the last biscuit/cake/sweet – it’s mine!”

What are you surprisingly good at?

"I can do most things to a pretty good standard but wouldn’t say I excel at much….. apart from eating, I can eat all day long!"

What’s your perfect weekend?

“A long one.”

What do you want your friends, family, and colleagues to remember you for?

“Helping them to be the best that they can be.”