THE PEOPLE

Keith Richardson

B.Sc Hons Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (with commendations), Diploma of the Market Research Society,

Keith worked for the marketing department of Washington Arts Centre and was then Campaigns Organiser for Northern MIND.

He then set up Communicate to provide marketing, research and project development services to the not-for-profit sector. Keith combined his marketing and research skills to develop new approaches to consultation and empowerment work.

Keith ran the marketing department of the Riverside Music Cooperative. During his time it was voted the second best music venue in Britain by NME readers and experienced its most profitable period. He was responsible for marketing Shared Interest and contributed to the society greatly exceeding investment targets.

Keith then left to be Education and Training Co-ordinator for Earth Balance where he worked with local people on sustainability issues, managed day care services for people with disabilities and supported on site businesses to develop. As part of his work, he successfully wrote successful funding applications for over £250,000 for an ESF funded training and work placement scheme and an ERDF application of £120,000 to set up a Green Business Support Agency. He also managed a £600,000 HORIZON funded project to set up social firms for people with disabilities. Overall, he ran most profitable department at Earth Balance.

Keith developed Community Balance as a community led charity and secured three years funding from the Community Fund. He developed a range of sustainability projects as part of this work.

Keith is a Director of North East Social Enterprise Partnership, The Community Renewable Energy Company and BioCoRE. He was a Director of the national Social Enterprise Coalition and a Council member of Shared Interest and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He is also a graduate of Newcastle Common Purpose.

He was lead researcher and author of "Frequent Movers: Looking for Love" published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and "Communities in Balance" in "Man and the City" published by the UN’s HABITAT programme. With Guy Turnbull, he co-authored "Opposites Attract – A Guide to Social Franchising"

For Economic Partnerships, Keith lead on the following Please click to access case studies: