As a part of our new feature, we would like to tell you a little about the Innovator International team as well as the fantastic news we support. In this session, we focus on one of Innovator International's founders, Richard Harrison.
Like many entrepreneurs, Richard's path wasn't linear - and he's come to see that as his greatest asset. Throughout his career in aerospace and various innovation roles, he was building something valuable: a diverse toolkit of skills and experiences that would become the foundation of Innovator International.
When Richard reached his 40s, something shifted. Initially concerned that he'd moved from job to job and haven't built expertise in a singular specific area, it clicked for him - his varied background wasn't a scattered mess; it was an asset. Being a jack of all trades wasn't a weakness; it was exactly what allowed him to help so many different people with their unique challenges.
Success looks different for everyone, and Richard prefers to focus on his own story and watch it unfold naturally, rather than comparing himself to others. If you ask him where he'll be in five years, he honestly can't tell you - but he knows that every day, he's committed to making Innovator International bigger and better. That daily commitment, that forward momentum, is what drives him.
Learning by Doing
Richard's journey included a significant turning point when he faced redundancy from his aerospace role. Whilst partially expected, it became an opportunity for reflection and redirection. During his time helping others grow their businesses, he was absorbing invaluable lessons about how businesses operate - lessons he would later use to help countless entrepreneurs.
Richard and his business partner Nick grew Innovator International from the ground up, and their shared entrepreneurial spirit makes their partnership work beautifully. One milestone that stands out was being shortlisted from 65 endorsing bodies to just three providers for the Innovator Founder Visa. That recognition validated what they were building and the value they were bringing to their community.
What truly moves Richard is watching business plans come to life. Though his role has evolved beyond day-to-day assessment, he remains inspired by entrepreneurs entering vastly differing sectors. Their plans stay with him, and he naturally follows their progress. It's humbling for him to know the community trusts them for support.
Richard's wife has been his partner in exploring various business ideas over the years. From pet sitting services to scouting New York's wholesale district for UK market gaps, they've always kept their eyes open for opportunities. They launched multiple ventures, and while not all succeeded, each taught them invaluable lessons that led them to where they are today.
Two quotes guide Richard's approach: "Make people happy and the business will follow" and "It's better to sell something you haven't yet made than to make something you can't sell." These principles remind him that business success comes from solving real problems for real people.
The Daily Balance
People often ask Richard about his definition of innovation. Here's what he's learned: if you're providing something people genuinely want, you don't have to “sell” - there’s a huge difference between selling to someone and them buying from you. A gap in the market is simply someone needing a fix. Provide that solution, and you have a business.
Richard's days are organised chaos in the best way. His responsibilities focus on the company's future - identifying where they can improve and how they can continue growing while helping more people. There's a balance between learning from the past and building toward tomorrow. He uses reflection as a tool for progression, not dwelling for too long, but rather extracting insights to move forward.
Every day brings variety: answering emails, attending meetings, planning webinars, coordinating with suppliers, organising events. Having a reliable team makes all the difference. Looking back at their journey reminds Richard how far they've come and energises him for what's ahead.
Mornings start with Richard's twins - getting them ready and taking them to school. Once settled at home, he dives into his to-do list. And whilst he rarely slows down, he realises the importance of balance - family time, rest and nature walks help provide this.
Is it exhausting? Sometimes. But Richard reminds himself that the journey matters as much as the destination - if not more. His twins capture this essence - when going on holiday, they enjoy the flight as much as the holiday itself. They're enjoying and appreciating every moment, not just at the major milestones. After all, you often learn more through the journey.
Playing to Your Strengths
Richard's superpower might be knowing a little about a lot. He's made it his mission to learn broadly, which helps him support people effectively without overstepping. He can offer useful guidance and, perhaps more importantly, connect people with the right resources or experts.
One defining moment came when Innovator was just starting out. Richard and Nick were finding their footing, building trust in those crucial early days. Someone requested a meeting, and something told Richard to say yes. He's a believer that everything happens for a reason. During their conversation about investment, she made an offhand comment that genuinely changed everything: “You'd make a good endorsing body."
Richard is grateful he listened and took note. "Every day we're presented with opportunities, but it's up to us to recognise the good ones and act on them", he says. Those nuggets of ideas deserve exploration - you never know where they might lead.
People often assume Richard is naturally confident and outgoing. The truth is more nuanced. At events, he tends to observe before engaging, but when hosting Innovator's gatherings, he steps up to get conversations flowing. Once he finds a natural connection or common topic, he opens up. His favourite conversation starter? "Tell me about your business." When people approach him at their events, it fills him with inspiration - he genuinely loves those interactions.
Finding Freedom in His Own Way
Richard always wanted to be a pilot like his father - the freedom of soaring through the skies seemed incredibly inspiring. Colourblindness made that path impossible, but he's found his own version of that freedom through Innovator International.
Jay Shetty inspires Richard greatly with his spiritual approach to life and business. He aspires to do something that changes people's lives positively. Richard has even written a book for himself - not for publication (at least, not yet...), but as a living document he continually refines to inspire his own thinking.
A year into Innovator, Richard realised they weren't just promoting innovation - they were changing people's lives, and that's what the best businesses do: they help people.
Richard's personal escapes keep him balanced: live music, cooking, football, and long forest walks. Nature grounds him, and those walks always give him exactly what he needs in that moment.
Life is a seesaw, Richard explains. When work increases, relaxation must too, or you lose balance and effectiveness. Working from home eliminates commute time, and by protecting his lunch break and family time, he can truly focus during work hours.
On Richard's desk right now: Lego pieces, a shark pen, glasses from a Coldplay gig, and an origami swan his son made. Random? Perhaps. But each item connects him to meaningful moments and memories - and it's a feature of having young children in your family whilst working from home! When he needs to refocus, these items transport him back, giving his mind the brief escape it needs to reset. He will pick up a piece of Lego and fiddle with it whilst he creates clarity in his mind, organised chaos at its finest.
Moving Forward
So here's Richard Harrison - not the master of one thing, but a helper of many. That winding road he travelled? It was exactly what he needed. He may not be piloting aircraft like his father, but through Innovator International, he's found his own kind of freedom - helping others take flight with their dreams.
To anyone who feels they've taken detours or explored many paths: perhaps being a jack of all trades isn't something to question. Perhaps it's exactly what equips you to make your unique contribution. Richard's journey really is as important as his destination, and it continues to unfold in ways he never imagined - one reflection, one forward step at a time.
You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn here:
