Tracey Richards

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT TRACEY RICHARDS

Experienced leader with a strong track record in the non-profit and health and social care sectors, particularly in learning disability, autism, youth development, and service improvement. I am passionate about inclusive leadership and creating real, measurable change for marginalised communities.Over the last year, I have been leading the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, managing the project and overseeing its expansion with a 400% growth in the workforce of experts with lived experience. I’ve had the privilege of supporting, developing, and organising both autistic experts and experts with a learning disability, helping to embed co-production at every level of delivery. As lead trainer, I deliver Train the Trainer sessions and facilitate learning alongside co-trainers with lived experience, ensuring the training is impactful, meaningful, and sustainable.I excel in guiding teams toward organisational goals while supporting their growth and development. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I am logical, structured, and decisive—attributes that help me thrive in strategic roles where analytical thinking and continuous improvement are key.My career has been shaped by a deep commitment to social inclusion, equity, and service transformation. At Mencap, I led a range of successful change programmes, including a £1M assistive technology project funded by the Vodafone Foundation. This initiative led to the creation of a commercially viable tech solution improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and positioning Mencap as a sector leader in assistive technology.I’ve also overseen the implementation of data-driven decision-making tools, improved Local Authority inspection ratings to ‘Outstanding’ within six months, and managed multiple training sites delivering programmes for young adults Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). These sites achieved increased funding and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes under my leadership.I hold a Master’s in Management and Leadership (Distinction) from Anglia Ruskin University and am a qualified Senior Leader (Level 7) and Chartered Manager (FCMI). I’m committed to lifelong learning and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.