Richard Bryars

Richard is Director of Strategy and Implementation at Action for Children.

Richard has spent most of his career leading strategy, planning, and new business development at some of the UK’s largest mutuals, including the Co-operative Group and John Lewis Partnership. Richard is passionate about exploring how socially-focused organisations manage the tensions between profit and purpose. He has developed strategies to maximise the benefits of employee ownership at John Lewis and reinvented the role of the Co-op in the 21st century. Richard has also supported the development of new ventures, including the John Lewis Financial Services business and an online pharmacy for the Co-op.

Having previously served as Chair of Trustees at the international development charity, Childreach, Richard joined Action for Children in 2022. He leads the strategy, impact, business planning, risk, and business improvement teams.

Away from work, Richard is married with two boys and two cats – all of whom enjoy dropping into Teams calls to say hello! Richard also sits on the Board of Trustees of the New Economics Foundation.