Richard Daniel Curtis is an internationally recognised mental health disruptor, CEO and expert in effective people strategy.
Richard is the author of the Mental Health Risk Intelligence tool which is a pioneering and unique assessment tool that monitors mental health risk within organisations based on various data streams.
He’s proud to be a trusted adviser to thousands of businesses. Working with leaders he helps them to improve their overall performance by reimagining workplace wellbeing and putting in place strategies which put their people first.
This includes supporting senior leaders to drive up productivity, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover by reimagining how wellbeing is viewed in the workplace.
But the best bit about Richard? He isn’t just known for his advice and strategies, he’s known for getting results. Impressive ones.
Chances are if you are in England, it is likely that you will know someone whose life has been influenced in some way by Richard’s work. This is because estimates suggest he has impacted the lives of more than 12 million people. And that figure is only going up.
Richard’s early career began in mental health nursing and hospital wards where he saw the devastating impact of mental health illness.
Teaching became his next venture, and his influence reached national levels when the Department for Education asked him to co-author the guidance for the statutory mental health curriculum in England.
In 2013 he founded his award-winning training and consultancy business called The Root Of It with a single cheque for £750 from a client. Starting from humble beginnings, the company has grown considerably and has established itself at the forefront of high-quality mental health training.
Richard is a distinguished author who has written 11 books and featured in publications across four continents. He has appeared on TV, print and radio, and is a frequent commentator on mental health policy.
What sets Richard apart?
Richard is someone who understands what CEOs and other senior leaders want and what they’re looking for when it comes to wellbeing and performance.
He knows that senior leaders looking for advice naturally want to know they’re dealing with an expert and someone who can tell them not only what they need to do, but how to do it. And in simple terms.
But with so much choice, knowing who to put your trust in and guide you on that journey isn’t always a straightforward decision.
What makes Richard so different is his ability to simplify strategy and bring clarity to the table. He’s someone that will walk you through that entire journey, give you a clear framework and help you achieve results.
Richard’s early childhood experiences have shaped him and made him both resilient and driven. As the eldest of three children, he came from a working-class background and grew up experiencing homelessness and witnessing the impact of alcoholism.
Today Richard believes that mental health and wellbeing only become meaningful at work when they move from a message into the operation of the organisation. That’s why he sees people strategy as central to commercial resilience, not as an optional extra.
As an trusted expert that has impacted millions of people, Richard also recognises the pitfalls of traditional mental health training. The kind you complete but it doesn’t have any impact or longevity.
It’s one of the reasons why he set up Mental Health Courses in the first place: to correct the low-quality options on the market and provide something better for businesses.
Known for his lively and energetic character, Richard promises to educate audiences and challenge conventional thinking. He’ll probably even make you laugh along the way too!
So passionate is Richard about what he does, that he set up the Mental Health Awards. These run annually and celebrate individuals and companies around the globe for their work championing interventions which improve mental health.
As a sought-after conference chair and keynote speaker, Richard will happily tailor his sessions to suit your requirements. So, whether it’s a large seminar, a focused leadership session, or perhaps you’re still not quite sure, get in touch and see how Richard can help you.