Strategy Director at DIAGEO Adam Richardson
NAME: Adam Richardson STUDIED: Economics, Cambridge University CURRENTLY: Director, Strategy, Diageo CAREER HISTORY: After completing an MBA at London Business School
I joined BCG, then as a Project Leader I moved to an inhouse strategy role at Tate & Lyle. I later led the strategy team before being appointed General Manager, Asia Pacific and moving to Shanghai for three years. In 2014 I returned to London and joined Diageo. FAVOURITE FILM: Godfather DINNER GUEST: Seb Coe BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE: 1. Don’t be afraid to ask the obvious question…the answer may not be so obvious! 2. Travel and ideally work overseas. It will force you to see things in a different way.
60 Second Interview How do you know TBP/ Nick Barton?
I first met Nick B soon after he’d set-up by himself and have been hugely impressed at the way he has grown the business.
What was the most significant frustration during your time as a strategy consultant? Leaving the project before the recommendations had been actioned.
What was the most difficult/challenging project you have worked on as a consultant?
I once facilitated a project kick-off meeting with a national retailer and one of their global brand suppliers which started with the retailer’s Head Buyer emptying a bag of product “seconds” onto the desk of the supplier and insisting that we could not start until the quality issues had been resolved. We broke for coffee and therein focussed on ways of building trust and working in partnership…
What was the biggest adjustment you had to undergo when moving from consulting to industry? Moving from transactional projects to building relationships across multiple projects.
What advice would you give someone looking to move from Consulting to Industry (FMCG in particular)? Do it! What do you think will be the biggest impacts on your business/sector following Brexit? Before the vote Diageo openly stated their support for the UK to remain within the EU as it provides easy access to the European single market. Following the Brexit vote, my greatest personal concern is that the current uncertainty will cause investment to be delayed and this will itself catalyse an economic downturn.