Richard F. Wolff

International Retail Advisor | Executive Coach | Business Strategy and Change Consultant

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

About

As a consultant and coach, I am motivated by sharing my deep knowledge & experience of building global businesses, creating high-performing teams and developing future business leaders. LEADERSHIP: I support private and public sector clients in setting out visions & strategies that create environments in which people feel valued and where individual, team & business potential can be achieved. The age-old adage ‘walk the talk’ still rings true in a post-digital era; authenticity underpins great leadership and trust is pivotal to performance. It’s vital that leaders embody the values and behaviours that engage, attract and retain team members & customers. To build leading customer service focused teams, leaders must serve their teams. Throughout my career in corporate life, and now in consultancy, I have championed the human experience, not just the customer experience. Helping executives, future leaders & organisations understand how to make people-centric connections with colleagues, customers & partner businesses is at the heart of my coaching work. INTERNATIONAL RETAIL: My consultancy work as an independent advisor, and previously as a director with Accenture, is underpinned by extensive international retail experience. I partner globally minded retailers seeking to assess and optimise opportunities. I have worked with diverse UK, US & global brands/retailers, delivering strategic appraisals of international plans and objectives. Meaningful market appraisals go beyond desktop research; direct knowledge of the culture of consumption and consumers by market is crucial. Cultural fluency is central to the success of an international business. Regardless of the chosen strategy and business model, strong local partnerships and relationships are the cornerstone of a sustainable international business. Expertise gained from building and leading an international retail team and business for M&S, now enables clients to develop the dynamic mindsets and enterprise governance needed to optimise opportunities in an ever-evolving international landscape. CONSULTING SPECIALISMS: Executive Coaching; International Retail; Business Strategy; Channel Development; Organisational Structure; Performance Turnaround; Supply Chain Optimisation; Cultural Change; Market Appraisals In addition to consulting & coaching, engagements include speaking at symposiums and guest lecturing for educational institutions such as the London College of Fashion and Harvard Business School. To discuss coaching or consulting engagements, please contact me at [email protected]

Experience

  • Independent International Retail Advisor at Independent Consultancy Practice
    2007 - Present · 19 yrs 6 mos

    Providing strategy consulting and business transformation advisory services for UK & International businesses including: John Lewis, Williams-Sonoma, NHS Trust and George, Asda-Walmart.

  • Additional Engagements at Private and Public Sector Organisations
    2004 - Present · 22 yrs 6 mos

    • Mentor & Business Advisor, Collective Brains, 2021 – Present • Associate Lecturer, MA Global Retail course, London College of Fashion, 2020 – Present • Board Member & Deputy Chairman, Paddington Sports Club, 2014 – 2019 • Chair, Samuel Courtauld Trust Enterprise, 2014 – 2018 • Lecturer, Harvard Business School, 2011 • Trustee, M&S Pension Trust, 2007 – Present • Mentor to CEO, Fair Finance, 2007 – 2011 • Trustee, Hanover Foundations, 2004 – 2010

  • Director, Retail Strategy Practice, Javelin Group at Accenture
    2011 - 2020 · 9 yrs

    Built new international retail consulting practice and team; supported international launches, turnarounds, expansions and organisational transformations across Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia. Clients included: Primark, JYSK, Samsung, Warner Bros, Krispy Kreme and Majid Al Futtaim.

  • Director, International Retail & Director of UK Outlets at Marks and Spencer
    2002 - 2007 · 5 yrs

    Joint operational board level role; led development of international business and set up outlets channel. Grew international to 250 stores across 34 countries worldwide and profit by fivefold within 5 years

  • Marks and Spencer (12 yrs 1 mo)
    • Director of UK Retail
      1998 - 2001 · 3 yrs

      Led entire UK store network; 300 store managers and total store team of 50,000.

    • Additional Senior Executive Roles
      1989 - 1998 · 9 yrs

      Roles included: VP Brooks Brothers (US), General Manager, Divisional Executive, Chief of Staff