Richard Beardsley
Coventry,Warwickshire
Summary
Proven track record in developing and leading complex capital delivery programs within the dynamic regulatory landscape of the water sector. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Full member of the APM and Prosci Project Manager, with extensive experience in delivering projects and driving organizational change. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams to implement innovative improvement initiatives. Committed to fostering a collaborative culture that promotes learning and excellence.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Framework Lead
Severn Trent Framework Lead – ECS Engineering
11.2025 - 02.2026
- Accountable for a programme of around 50 projects covering both clean and wastewater sites delivering Civil, Mechanical and Electrical replacements and refurbishments to existing assets.
- Responsible for creating accurate Scopes, Cost Plans and Programmes which ensure appropriate margins and customer satisfaction.
Innovation Programme Manager
Affinity Water
05.2022 - 10.2025
- Responsible for the management of Innovation across Affinity Water.
- As the first holder of the position, I developed a structure and Governance to support the identification, execution and transfer to 'business as usual' of both Ofwat funded and discretionary Innovation projects.
- Underpinning this work was the move towards an 'Innovation culture' where multi-functional teams collaborate to deliver Innovation activity.
- Innovation Ambassadors were introduced across the business to support this approach.
- I also delivered projects, having recently successfully delivered Capita Delivery, Operational and Customer Service and Technology projects.
- Introduced the Material Classification Protocol with cost avoidance saving of around £29M per year.
- Reduced Innovation Manpower spend by £50K per year.
- Introduced improvements to support vulnerable customers through Priority Service changes.
Change Manager
@One Alliance Anglian Water
04.2021 - 04.2022
- Part of a small team delivering Change Management using PROSCI methodology to ensure that the all-important 'People Change' aspect of Capital Delivery was rigorously and consistently addressed.
- Delivered projects across the Operational, Procurement and Commercial functions.
- This involved working with a complex matrix of stakeholders in an ambiguous, challenging environment where resistance to Change was commonplace.
- Introduced Structural Material for Reinstatement (SMR) to the @One Alliance.
- Trialled automated Risk Assessment review tools.
Senior Lean Coach
PepsiCo
Lincoln
01.2020 - 03.2021
- Leading the Lean/Continuous Improvement agenda across the Lincoln Site producing the Quaver product.
- Responsible for training and coaching all site staff in Lean Tools with particular focus upon 5S, 5Why and PDCA to produce structure around issues and opportunities and identify and implement plans to address.
Business Improvement Manager
MWH Treatment
02.2015 - 12.2019
- Developed and implemented a Business improvement function which delivered a programme of continuous improvement across a programme portfolio worth over £100M per year.
- Defined clear and optimised performance metrics, refined key performance indicator (KPI) reporting function, and oversaw the restructuring and documentation of teams and work procedures.
- Leveraged extensive expertise in Lean and Six Sigma tools to minimise non-value-added processes and wastes and delivered a verified £810k cost savings within five years by integrating high-end controls which supported efficient governance of project programme type, sequences, and cycle times.
- Prepared detailed reports and investment papers for senior management and the Board as required to secure appropriate project funding.
- Applied DMAIC data-driven quality strategy to improve processes and facilitated the development of new procedures and understanding of the existing ones.
- Created a positive, stimulating, and high-morale work environment through the planning of frequent coaching and mentorship initiatives to support the closing of determined skill gaps and built the team’s capability to ensure smooth succession into senior management roles.
- Used Collaborative Planning to achieve a minimum 20% cost saving on all completed projects.
Operational Management
Severn Trent Water
- Prioritised daily workflows and managed a team assigned to operate and maintain Severn Trent Water’s plant equipment/assets to ensure optimal operations and efficiency.
- Coordinated the execution and delivery of the agreed-on change programmes and implemented new standards to streamline processes and enhance cost-effectiveness.
- Ensured all planned targets were timely achieved in full alignment with the established strategic goals and objectives.
- Promoted an organisational culture of continuous process improvement and ensured efficient performance management and high-quality coaching and support.
- Acted as a Site Manager with full responsibility for leading a team of 20 staff within the Waste Water Directorate.
- Provided coaching, training, and mentorship, enabling strong cohesive cultures and high performance.
- Influenced core reforms and utilised effective communication skills to secure the support of staff for various change initiatives.
Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE (Hons) - HISTORY
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield, EnglandPOSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA - MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Derby University
Derby, EnglandPOSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE - MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Lincoln University
Lincoln, EnglandSkills
- Project management
- Change management
- Operational management
- Innovation delivery
- Business continuity and process mapping
- Process improvement
- Training and coaching
- Stakeholder engagement
- Communication skills
- Contract management
- Logical reasoning
- Budget accountability
- Process optimisation
Career Experience
- Severn Trent Framework Lead, ECS Engineering, 2025-11-01, 2026-02-28, Accountable for a programme of around 50 projects covering both clean and wastewater sites delivering Civil, Mechanical and Electrical replacements and refurbishments to existing assets. Responsible for creating accurate Scopes, Cost Plans and Programmes which ensure appropriate margins and customer satisfaction.
- Innovation Programme Manager, Affinity Water, 2022-05-01, 2025-10-31, Responsible for the management of Innovation across Affinity Water. Developed a structure and Governance to support the identification, execution and transfer to 'business as usual' of both Ofwat funded and discretionary Innovation projects. Delivered projects having recently successfully delivered Capita Delivery, Operational and Customer Service and Technology projects.
- Change Manager, @One Alliance Anglian Water, 2021-04-01, 2022-04-30, Part of a small team delivering Change Management using PROSCI methodology to ensure that the all-important 'People Change' aspect of Capital Delivery was rigorously and consistently addressed. Delivered projects across the Operational, Procurement and Commercial functions.
- Senior Lean Coach, PepsiCo, 2020-01-01, 2021-03-31, Leading the Lean/Continuous Improvement agenda across the Lincoln Site producing the Quaver product. Responsible for training and coaching all site staff in Lean Tools.
- Business Improvement Manager, MWH Treatment, 2015-02-01, 2019-12-31, Developed and implemented a Business improvement function which delivered a programme of continuous improvement across a programme portfolio worth over £100M per year.
Custom Section
- Project Management
- Change Management
- Operational Management
- Innovation Identification and Delivery
- Business Continuity & Process Mapping
- Process Improvement & Re-engineering
- Training, Coaching, & Mentoring
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Communications & Interpersonal Skills
- NEC Contracts
- Logical Reasoning & Problem Resolution
- Budget, P&L Accountability
Professional Development
- Full member of Association of Project Management
- APM – Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
- Institute of Asset Management Certificate
- Certified PROSCI Practitioner
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (PepsiCo)
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-beardsley-60476910a
Certification
- APM - Full Member
Timeline
Framework Lead
Severn Trent Framework Lead – ECS Engineering
11.2025 - 02.2026
Innovation Programme Manager
Affinity Water
05.2022 - 10.2025
Change Manager
@One Alliance Anglian Water
04.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Lean Coach
PepsiCo
01.2020 - 03.2021
Business Improvement Manager
MWH Treatment
02.2015 - 12.2019
Operational Management
Severn Trent Water
BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE (Hons) - HISTORY
Sheffield Hallam University
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA - MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Derby University
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE - MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Lincoln University