Clare Richmond

Who took on the challenge to reinvigorate a declining local high street, without any budget, resource,  experience or even permission.

She initially thought the challenge was for better marketing, but it became clear it was more about mindset. She started creating a team from the local community’s independent businesses, encouraging them to work on what they could achieve together despite sophisticated competition and limited resources.  It turned out those limitations were an inspiration.  They re-thought the idea of high street value revealing a new opportunity - to meet the needs of the community rather than simply the customer.  They got into action, and an open evening welcoming locals into shops for a drink and a chat worked brilliantly, building confidence and capacity within the whole community to do more, and in the end to better meet their own needs.  The results transformed Clare’s view on leadership, seeing the advantages of having less but with a strongly felt reason to do something leading to collaboration and innovation.