When Richard Wright joined Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in late 2010, it was meant to be for a fortnight. But it was a role that was indeed ‘meant to be’ – as Jill Theobald finds out.
Having been brought in on a ‘short-term’ basis in late 2010 to help Sheffield Chamber through challenges it faced at the time, Richard Wright retired as executive director of policy and representation … in early 2020.
Fast forward nearly a decade and the Chamber’s role has become substantially more secure during his tenure, and the business support organisation has been transformed. But then, as Richard points out, so has the city.
“We’re establishing ourselves as a destination city. We’re no longer acting like victims of the past. We’re looking ahead 20 years instead of two decades in the past.
“Sheffield Airport is dead – long live the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District. Don Valley Stadium is dead – long live Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Hammersons is dead – long live Heart of the City II. A lot of the former were not popular decisions to support at the time, but where we are now has justified them in the longer term.
“We are a city focusing on the future. Advanced manufacturing with The AMRC Training Centre, health and wellbeing with National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) and Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and creative and digital where the recent Sheffield Digital report really captured our digital skills and strengths.
“Now we have the South Yorkshire devolution deal agreed, too – and if we get HS2 as well, I will be very happy!”
It’s clear that Richard is leaving the Chamber happy enough though.
“It’s a marvellous group of people and it has an interesting period ahead including new premises. But the time is right for me to step down – it’s a changing of the old guard! Keith Ridgway from the AMRC and John Mothersole from the council left last year, Julie Dore is leaving this year and it really feels like the city is heading into a new era. The new guard! And that is true of the Chamber too, welcoming Stella Steele as its new director of operations.”
So what’s his future vision for the city and the Chamber in the new era?
“Both need to focus on three key areas. Continuing to support the aforementioned sectors we are leading in, and becoming a “destination city” with investments like the extreme sports park; but businesses need to also play a wider part in two other areas – tackling social divisions and the environment.
“Businesses can no longer exit in isolation, it’s not just about running your own company. It’s about how you treat your staff and the partnerships you establish with others. They must play an active part in the community to ensure no areas are left behind because that is how we will drive up standards of living and wealth creation – by boosting productivity and the economy. Education can play a part in that and the vocational route we have via Sheffield College and the UTCs is engaging children from challenged areas.
“The same goes for the environment – what are companies doing about becoming more sustainable and, ultimately, carbon neutral?”
And as for his own personal future vision? Having bought a campervan, Richard and wife Linda will be off on frequent visits to their holiday home in France and elsewhere.
And back home he’ll still be a familiar face around the city, kept busy in roles including non-executive director of Derbyshire Mental Health Trust, board member of NCSEM Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University Business School’s Advisory Group, and Chair of the UTC Multi Advisory Trust.
