Richard Stewart

Co-Founder & Director, Opal Advisory | Helping clients move their business forward with clarity, pace and confidence

United Kingdom

About

As co‑founder of Opal Advisory, I help leaders turn strategic ambition into meaningful, measurable results. My career has been built in senior leadership and c-suite roles across insurance, financial and professional services - experience that has shaped how I support organisations in the face of pressure, uncertainty and challenge. Having trained as a Chartered Accountant, I bring a commercial, pragmatic approach, having spent years leading acquisitions & integrations, shaping governance frameworks and delivering complex change. My focus has always been the same: simplify complexity, create clarity and build the conditions for people to perform at their best. I value resilience, clarity and a collaborative leadership style, believing that the strongest outcomes are achieved when people feel informed, supported and part of the journey. A growing part of my work is helping leadership teams understand and adopt AI with confidence and purpose. I support boards and senior teams to frame their thinking, align AI with strategy, and build practical, deliverable plans that create value while managing risk. At Opal Advisory, we partner with leaders to create clarity, build momentum and deliver lasting impact across strategy, M&A, transformation, high performance and AI adoption. Our approach blends strategic insight with lived leadership experience and hands‑on delivery, helping organisations move confidently from ambition to execution. If your organisation is exploring how to navigate growth, change or the opportunities and risks of AI, I’m always open to a conversation. web: www.opaladvisory.co.uk e-mail: [email protected]

Experience

  • Co-Founder & Director at Opal Advisory
    Mar 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Clyde & Co (10 yrs 1 mo)
    • Chief Operating Officer
      Sep 2022 - Jan 2026 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      Working with our UK Insurance, Casualty and Healthcare groups

    • Deputy Chief Operating Officer
      Oct 2020 - Sep 2022 · 2 yrs

      Deputy COO, working with the UK Casualty & Healthcare practice groups at Clyde & Co

    • Operations Manager
      Jan 2016 - Oct 2020 · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Swinton Insurance (8 yrs 8 mos)
    • Commercial Planning Manager
      Oct 2012 - Dec 2015 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    • Senior Commercial Analyst
      Jan 2010 - Sep 2012 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    • Acquisitions Finance Manager
      Jun 2008 - Dec 2009 · 1 yr 7 mos

  • Credit Risk Analyst at Credit Suisse
    Feb 2006 - May 2007 · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Assistant Manager at Deloitte UK
    Sep 2002 - Feb 2006 · 3 yrs 6 mos