Richard Heald, OBE

Chair at UK India Business Council

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

About

I am an accomplished business leader with blue-chip and diverse experience honed in corporate finance. More recently, I've worked across not-for-profit and government domains as the CEO of an international trade organisation. My approach to organisational leadership combines intellectual rigour and practical know-how to deliver solutions to complex business issues alongside an understanding of the workings of domestic and cross-border supply chains both within the UK and internationally. During my career, I have capitalised on my commercial and political expertise in both leadership and non-executive roles, leveraging my knowledge of multifaceted business challenges gleaned from operating both as a board-level financier and the leader of a UK-Indian business association, with multiple stakeholder groups in the private sector as well as in national and regional governments.

Experience

  • Managing Director - Public Policy at Essar Energy Transition
    Dec 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

  • UK India Business Council (15 yrs 11 mos)
    • Chair
      Oct 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

    • Executive Chair
      Sep 2020 - Sep 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Group CEO
      Sep 2010 - Aug 2020 · 10 yrs

      I've developed UKIBC into a leading business-led trade organisation focusing on promoting bilateral trade between Indian and the UK, including building from scratch the Indian network, staff, Boards and Advisory Council. During my tenure consolidated turnover has grown three times, membership income four times. UKIBC now has four offices in India and a UK regional network alongside our London head Office. We’ve significantly raised the profile of UKIBC in past five years with UK and Indian Government as well as with business in both countries. I reoriented the business model towards focused, value-added, relevant services for members. This has resulted in significant rises in non-governmental revenues, with a 46%pa CAGR since opening international networks in 2012 with membership retention rates consistently running at 80-90%pa. Among many innovations is the implementation of a decentralised and extensive use of outsourced services and KPOs so as to reduce operating risk, improve the levels of variable costs and net margins on services. In addition an outreach/education programme using multi-media including web-based technology, which reaches c.5000 UK companies annually. I have nurtured strong relationships within the UK and Indian Government and also developed a strong network of partners amongst other economic and business groups including the CBI and British Chambers of Commerce.

  • Non Executive Director at TVS Supply Chain Solutions
    Jan 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 7 mos

  • Advisory Council Member at Essar Oil (UK) Limited
    Jul 2021 - Jul 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Non Executive Director at Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank
    Jun 2018 - Jun 2020 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank is world’s first fully digital trade bank. Awaiting regulatory approval to start operations. Headquarters Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi