Marcus Richards
In a complex changing world we bring simplicity and stability. Understanding the landscape we can work alongside you and take vision and make it into action, guiding and supporting people, services and organisations.
Tell us about yourself?
I trained as a nurse about 150 years ago and developed through the NHS and Social Services enjoying a really wide range of experiences and people. One day I just didn’t want to do it any more, went home, and took a few months off to have a think: played golf, wrote poetry badly, painted some pictures.
At the end of that I launched my own company aiming to help and support the kind of people I had come to know by understanding their landscapes and challenges and planning alongside them, providing solutions.
I never did have a “career plan”. I just did interesting things that engaged me and that I thought might make a difference. That has allowed me some great insights into a diverse and fascinating world. I do quite a lot of pro bono work as well and that too makes me happy.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy. Listen to the people who know stuff, reach out to the people who will nurture you, never be afraid to make a friend.
What problem does your business solve?
Some organisations, some people, get into a bit of a pickle with identity, governance, structures. We can take an objective view and assessment and create some plans and ideas from which people can choose. We can either deliver them, or support their delivery and revisit over time to ensure that the plans are still fit for purpose – and if not, develop some new ones.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
Initially it was for me: I am easily bored and love working and I love managing my own time and efforts, choosing what to do, who to work with. But behind that was a deep need to be useful – it’s partly why I do so much pro bono stuff. I really understand the environment in which organisations swim and I know what good and bad look like, helpfully, which speeds and refines focus when working through options and assessments and increases the potential for successful development. I get it.
What is your magic sauce?
I have been described – by someone who likes me – as a warm and fluffy part time battleaxe. I’ll take that. I genuinely think there is a bit of fabulous in everyone and every group, without exception, and finding that, cherishing it and making it work for them and their organisation is a blast.
I will be honest, will nurture you, and will never leave you or your organisation without a solution.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
I have never had a career plan and am not about to start one. I want to carry on working with great people helping them when they need it and doing interesting engaging things. It is working for me so far…
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
Genuinely, I think it was leaving steady work and branching out on my own. Challenging but so exciting. I felt so brave! Once the decision was made, though, the rest fell into place and I learned quickly, mostly through my mistakes….I made them so you don’t have to.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
Organisations or their people needing some kind of fixing, some advice about direction, development or governance. Most comfortable in third sector but very happy across the sectors, and equally happy with light touch guidance or deeper involvement. Just leave me a message on my website and I will be in touch https://www.mayallmanagement.com/
