Dr Richard Sykes
Associate
Bloor Research
Dr Richard Sykes is a scientist by background (Cambridge MA, Yale PhD). From 1973 he worked with the chemical major ICI plc in a variety of international commercial & business roles, latterly as ICI’s Group VP IT 1993–1999. At a time of major restructuring of ICI, he developed a strong interest in ICT outsourcing as an effective change enabler, implementing a series of significant deals.
Between 1999 & 2004, he chaired Europe’s leading outsourcing consultancy Morgan Chambers plc (now acquired by Equaterra Inc) 2007), as well as two start-ups: Site Confidence Ltd (acquired by NCC Group) and Solcom Ltd (which he still chairs).
In 2004 Richard shifted the focus of his personal practice to global developments within the ICT vendor community – the impact of IT & Business Process Outsourcing, the ‘servicification’ & consumerisation of the industry’s offer, and globalisation through offshoring. As an Associate of the Leading Edge Forum (LEF), he has developed an innovative body of analysis (including models & diagnostics oriented to delivering focused business action) of these forces at work, particularly in the BPO arena, and the factors that underwrite sustainable business competitive edge. He works with a tight network of collaborators expert in particular verticals (such as Financial Services). He has co-authored with Mark Kobayashi-Hilary a business book ‘Global Services: Moving to a Level Playing Field’, published in April 2007.
Richard chairs the Outsourcing & Offshore Group of Intellect (the UK trade association for the hi-tech industries), and is on the advisory board of Quick Start Global Ltd, an Indian venture. In his personal practice he acts as a strategic coach and trusted adviser (rather than as a consultant) to help restructure established, and create new, business ventures within the wider ICT market place.