Work experience

Over the past 20 years I have been fortunate to work with professional bodies, not-for-profit organisations and start-ups to support them with a range of services including change management, event planning, project management and strategic advice.  During this time, my roles have included positions ranging from Project Manager to Chief Operating Officer.

My early career was in the professional services sector, working for lawyers and then setting up a secretarial and typing agency. From an initial client base which included solicitors, barristers, doctors and a Crown Court Judge, my work led me into the charity and not-for-profit sector and for several years I was the Administrator of the IAJLJ (International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists).  This experience of working with a start-up saw me work alongside trustees and taking on responsibility for membership, fundraising and event planning culminating in hosting an international conference for several hundred lawyers.

After a second spell working for a law firm, in 2002, I took up a new role as Office Manager at The Hope Centre – the UK centre for providing specialist educational support for children and young people aged 3-19 using the Feuerstein method of teaching.  During my time at this leading educational centre, I was the first point of contact for parents, schools and local authorities and provided staff support, arranged internal and external training sessions and managed the logistics to ensure the smooth running of the Centre.

In 2005, I moved to a new position as Manager for Friends of Bnei Akiva, a not-for-profit organisation with responsibility for running a large national Jewish youth movement.  My main functions included providing support for the peer led leadership committee (mazkirut); assisting with welfare issues during the year and particularly over their summer and winter residential camps; organising major fundraising dinners and providing logistics management for major events such as a family National Weekend in Wales attended by 1,200 people, and a special ceremony celebrating Israel’s 60th Independence in London attended by the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

A key factor in the success of these events was engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and external agencies, which also gave me gave me valuable first-hand experience of operational, strategic and governance challenges.

In 2008, I accepted an invitation to join University Jewish Chaplaincy.  A charity which employs Rabbinic couples to provide pastoral support and representation for Jewish students on UK university campuses, initially as Operations Manager and then as Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 2016.  The role involved a wide engagement with all stakeholders, including funders, the Union of Jewish Students, local Jewish Societies, Jewish communal boards and organisations, university authorities and other Faith Chaplaincies.  I developed and promoted the reach of the organisation and provided full operational, strategic, mentoring and logistical support for Chaplaincy activities.  As part of this role, I was also responsible for the successful recruitment of new Chaplains, searching and bringing over the best candidates to the UK from over three continents.  I recognised the need to reallocate resources to ensure greater accessibility to place new Chaplaincy couples in fast growing regions and up-and-coming universities.

Volunteer Experience

My work in the not-for-profit sector is complemented by voluntary work for various community organisations.

Since 2000, I trained and have served as a bereavement counsellor with the Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service, helping people who are struggling or having difficulties managing after the death of a significant person in their lives.  I have assisted many people over the years to cope with their grief and build strategies.

I also head up a team from my local synagogue, Edgware Adath Yisroel Congregation, with responsibility for looking after the sick and needy (bikur cholim) and social welfare issues which ensures that members of the community receive whatever help is required when they are in need – whether it is just a phone call, visit or assisting with more complex issues.

I was a member of the 2017 dinner committee for my local primary school – Beit Shvidler Primary School’s 10th anniversary and where I also gave the successful fundraising appeal.

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Suzy has been such a huge asset to the organisation. She has helped us with governance, a fundraising dinner and volunteer management. She has many skills which we have benefitted from and always goes above and beyond the role to ensure the charity prospers. I always feel things are in safe hands when Suzy is involved.
Cassie Ozer, CEO, March of the Living
The way in which you took on the role was so filled with emotional intelligence and administrative expertise that I felt you’d be doing it forever! Thank you so much for the conversations, direction, support and the outstanding evenings which you organised. They were all so memorable…. Excellent speakers articulately presenting essential information. Unmissable! And I will miss you! But wish you huge hatzlochah in your next project… they are so lucky to have you.
Janice, Tutor for the Marriage Enhancement Programme (MEP)
Oh wow Suzy! Can't believe you are leaving 😢!! In the few interactions I have had with you I have been so impressed by your warmth, insight and down to earth practical approach! It was a huge job to "step into" ...or rather have thrust upon you...and you embraced it with grace and rose to the challenge magnificently!!! You made an effort to learn all aspects of the job and you made a supreme effort to interview and get to know everybody personally...no mean feat!! So wishing you every success in whatever lies ahead!! Know you will be great whatever it is!!
Ruthie, Tutor for the Marriage Enhancement Programme (MEP)
Thank you so much Suzy.
We think you are tremendous and so appreciate everything you have done and grateful that you have always been available for us.
It has been such a pleasure to have worked with you and I have enjoyed the professional, efficient and diplomatic way that you apply yourself to everything.
The time has passed so quickly and I will miss you as our Project Worker.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING
Trisha Curtis, Manager, JBCS
Suzy Richman is professional, organised, totally committed and UNBELIEVABLY PATIENT!
Antony Lishak, Founder & Chief Educational Consultant, Learning from the Righteous
Suzy's capacity to assess a situation, determine the best strategy to achieve the right objectives, and to work effectively to implement that strategy, is exemplary. She is an exceptional asset to any endeavour.
Ian Myers, Director, Ethical Communications
Suzy and I worked together on Yom HaShoah UK, organising the National Commemoration with over 4,000 attendees and several dignitaries.
Suzy is a phenomenal organiser who would be an asset for any project. She's a great team player and gets on with the job in hand to complete the tasks. Suzy was always quick in offering solutions and implemented tasks using her initiative.
I do hope I will get the opportunity to work with her again.
Matti Fruhman, Director, Yom HaShoah UK
During her interim assignment with the Board of Deputies, Suzy offered professionalism, sound advice and extensive experience. She fitted in straight away and got on with the job in hand.
It was an absolute pleasure to have Suzy as part of the team and her contribution proved invaluable.
If you are looking for a 'hero of the hour' - then Suzy is the one.
Gillian Merron, CEO, The Board of Deputies of British Jews
It was a great pleasure to work closely with Suzy Richman for more than seven years.  Suzy is capable, reliable and highly experienced, a real ‘doer' who treats every challenge as an opportunity to which she brings a fresh and constructive approach.
Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski, Chief Executive Officer, University Jewish Chaplaincy
We have worked in collaboration with Suzy Richman Consulting who are a professional, reliable and flexible consultancy service ensuring that they understand the business and culture of clients in order to deliver and meet client expectations.
Delia Goldring, Director, Performance Options Limited
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