In the very first episode of Change Makers, host Michael Hayman speaks to co-founder and CEO of Big Data giant WANdisco, David Richards on how entrepreneurs and business leaders can respond to COVID-19. David gives his view on the UK and US government responses to the pandemic and explains how the cloud went from specialist software to the essential tech of the lockdown.
David Richards
Since co-founding WANdisco in Silicon Valley in 2005, David Richards has led the company on a course for rapid international expansion, opening offices in the UK, Japan and China. David spearheaded WANdisco to a hugely successful listing on the London Stock Exchange. A passionate advocate of entrepreneurship, David has established and successfully exited several highly successful Silicon Valley technology companies.
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Scrapbook
David Richards with former British Prime Minister David Cameron, 2012
David in his hometown of Sheffield, where WANdisco have an office
David launches academy in Sheffield for entrepreneurs
Lockdown scrapbook
WHAT IS A BOOK THAT HAS CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
A brief history of time by Stephen Hawking – I started reading it on a train as a twenty year old and was so engrossed I missed my stop….
WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING IN LOCKDOWN?
Not watching – giving Netflix a rest – listening to Radio Lab’s Podcast “the other Latif” very very good
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
Africa – Toto; Voodoo Child – Hendrix: I wish I know how it feels to be free – Nina Simone; Dagombas en Tamale – Residente; Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Have a listen to the Change Makers Lockdown Playlist.
IN ONE SENTENCE, DESCRIBE YOUR NEW NORMAL.
Everything is distributed: people, work, finance, retail.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION AND WHY?
Nelson Mandela – one has to actually visit South Africa to really understand what a truly incredible man he was.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP FOR LIFE ?
Never give up. All the great sports teams don’t panic even if they are two nil down with a few minutes to go, they really believe they can recover from any situation.
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