Richard Baker is an exceptional individual who, through a multitude of paid and voluntary roles across business, sport and government, has had a significant influence on this country and a profoundly positive impact upon many people, companies and institutions within it.
Richard takes pride in helping everyone he works with be more successful and in all that he has done Richard has put others first, not looked for personal reward, recognition or acclaim.
Since the beginning of his career, Richard has always treated people with the utmost respect and ensured he supported and interacted with the people who do the work – the ‘front line’ workers – not just those in the boardroom or upper echelons.
Among the numerous successful leadership roles Richard has occupied, these include becoming CEO of Boots aged just 40, Chairman of Whitbread, Chairman of the British Retail Consortium, and a Board Member of the Lawn Tennis Association and of The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.
People at all levels respect Richard: from the most senior people in UK business to school students participating in a sport they might not otherwise have taken up; from the cleaner at DFS where he was Chairman, to the shop assistant at Boots where he was CEO.