10 for 10 with Ben Richardson

This month we're celebrating 10 years at LHi for our UK and European Managing Director, Ben Richardson. Ben started with us as an Associate Consultant back in 2012 and his journey with LHi has seen him travel to the other side of the world and back. Setting up offices, and multiple brands in New York and LA and now taking our European business from strength to strength. Ben’s story is such an amazing example of the rewards and experiences you can achieve if you are prepared to step outside your comfort zone and take some risks along the way. 

To mark the occasion, we caught up with Ben to ask him 10 quick-fire questions to mark his 10 years in the group. 

What were your first impressions of LHi? 

A close-knit family that worked really really hard, but knew how to have a good time whilst doing it. I knew from my first day that this company was going to be an exciting place to be as there were so many talented ambitious leaders. 

If you had to pick one LHi moment, what has been your favourite over the past 10 years? 

There have been so many amazing LHi moments it's so tough to choose one, but I think celebrating the first US deal was HUGE and the first Christmas party after our first year in NYC, when we were flown back to a hero’s welcome in London was a real stand moment. 

What advice would you give to your 'Younger You'? 

Enjoy the ride, work as hard as you physically can, take as many opportunities as you can, but enjoy it and take it all in whilst you are doing it. 

What is your favourite thing about LHi? 

Again so many things, I could write a list as long as my arm… But the one that stands out above them all is the fact that you can and will make genuine friends that go beyond ‘work colleagues’ when you work at LHi. I think of the list of people that I have seen join the business and then moved on, yet stay in touch with current LHi-ers is amazing. True, genuine relationships have been made. I don’t think that should be taken for granted. 

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen over the past 10 years at LHi? 

Well, we have launched eight offices and launched four new brands over the years, so that’s a good starting point. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of opening offices in New York & LA and now I'm supporting Steve Earl with our Berlin office opening, so I have been at the forefront of so many new business units. I think the most significant and important change I have seen is the maturity and development of the group as a whole. We have come so far as a business and made so many crucial improvements. I am incredibly proud to work for a business that has progressed with the times. 

Where did you go with your LHi Passport 5 years ago? 

At the time I was working in our LA office, so I used the passport as an opportunity to come back to the UK and spend some time at our London Headquarters… I used to love coming back to the London office whenever I could as there is such a good buzz around the place and it was amazing to see all the new faces each time. 

What does the future hold for you at LHi? 

Hopefully, as many adventures/opportunities and as much personal development as there have been to date... But I am also really hoping that I now have the opportunity to open doors and give people the backing and support that I was given as I moved through the business. I want to pass my experience and journey on to as many people in the business as possible, so they can experience first-hand how amazing it is to be a part of the LHi family. 

Who has been your biggest inspiration at LHi? 

Whilst there are so many people I could talk about here I think I have to give a shoutout to our founder Tom Glanfield... He is SUCH a great entrepreneur, doesn’t always get things right, doesn’t claim to be the best at everything, isn’t afraid to hire people around him that are better at their jobs than him, but just had such a clear vision on what he wanted LHi to become and genuinely wanted to create wealth and opportunity for everyone at the business… There are lots of leaders or company owners that claim to do this but Tom is an example of someone that lives by it. Massive inspiration and such a huge reason for so many of us being with the group today. 

What would you say to anyone thinking about joining LHi? 

Ask yourself how much you really want it, do you really want to be a part of something special, are you really willing to put the work in, and can you see yourself here for the long run? If the answer is yes to all those questions... DO IT!!!! Training, opportunity, culture, support, financial rewards, and progression... It's all up for grabs, you just have to want it enough. 

For 10 years at the company, you're about to receive LHi’s Gift of Time, the question is are you going to choose a Luxury Watch or 1-months paid leave? 

This has been a tough decision and one that I have gone back and forth on for a while! I’ve decided to go with the watch as I have started a little collection, and this is a great chance to add to it! 

Congratulations on 10 years Ben! Here's to another 10! 

If you could see yourself following in Ben's footsteps then get in touch with our People Team now to start your LHi adventure! We're hiring across all our global officers and are always on the lookout for 'good humans'. 

European People Team -recruitment@wearelhi.com 

US People Team - recruitmentUSA@wearelhi.com