In today’s fast-paced marketing landscape, effective leaders must navigate challenges with agility, embracing change and staying attuned to evolving trends. Success hinges on adaptability, as leaders must adeptly steer through adversities while aligning strategies with dynamic market demands. Thriving in this environment requires a keen understanding of contemporary requirements and a proactive approach to innovation. The ability to swiftly respond to shifting trends positions modern business leaders as catalysts for organizational growth, ensuring their teams remain resilient and forward-thinking in an ever-changing business landscape.
Recognized as a dynamic entrepreneur and management strategist, Richard Edwin (CEO at Erith Group) is a modern-day leader who walks hand-in-hand with the evolving market needs and trends. Thanks to Richard’s rich experience and prowess, we are featuring him in our latest magazine issue “Most Influential Business Leaders To Watch Out For-2023”
A Journey of Ebbs and Flows
An experienced professional, he initially served with GPT/Garlock, a subsidiary of ENPRO, a remarkable 130-year old legacy, a renowned US-based company’s division, for over a decade.
(Enpro) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a global presence with headquarters in the US and multiple locations worldwide.
In (2016), Richard Edwin assumed a pivotal role, heading the Middle East and Africa division. He was General Manager in Dubai, contributing his expertise for a commendable five-year tenure.
In response to the evolving global landscape and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Enpro Industries implemented a strategic shift in its Middle East operations. This involved carefully reassessing their presence in the region and ultimately making adjustments to align with the company’s long-term goals.
Driven by a deep commitment to his team and a passion for the Middle East operation, Richard Edwin seized the opportunity to chart a new course. He presented a compelling proposal to Enpro Industries, outlining his vision for establishing a new company that would carry the torch of Garlock Middle East’s legacy. This move, fueled by a desire to ensure the well-being and continued success of the dedicated employees, resonated strongly with Enpro’s leadership.
Following constructive negotiations, a mutually beneficial agreement was reached. Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to the team paved the way for a seamless transition, preserving the core values and expertise that made Garlock Middle East a success. This bold venture marked the exciting beginning of a new chapter, one fueled by human connection, unwavering commitment, and a shared passion for the region.
However, the journey did not unfold without its share of challenges. The prevailing global circumstance, dominated by the impact of COVID-19, posed significant hurdles. Fueled by an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, Richard Edwin spearheaded the creation of Erith Group during a period of global uncertainty. With creativity and determination, he and his team tackled the intricate startup complexities, paving the way for Erith Group’s successful journey.
Robust Emphasis on People Empowerment
When balancing the need to innovate and take risks to maintain stability and profitability in the industry, Erith Group emphasizes people empowerment. The company recognizes the strength within the organization’s talented individuals and ensures an alignment toward a common goal. Moreover, regular communication of its vision and ethos enables employee engagement, with a central tenet being prioritizing both employees and customers. In Richard’s opinion, maintaining a delicate equilibrium in risk management poses a perpetual challenge, as the landscape is characterized by nuanced shades of gray rather than stark black-and-white distinctions. Under his leadership, the team consistently engaged in risk mitigation strategies, striving to minimize the impact of uncertainties on Erith’s trajectory.
Essentially, one of the most critical components in risk-balancing is financial contingency. Richard Edwin is keenly aware that no plans should unsettle Erith’s current business stability, which extends beyond the company itself, considering its impact on the employees and their families. While understanding the market dynamics is vital for effective risk management, he closely observes how the market reacts, identifies opportunities, and evaluates the impact of climate change, sustainability, and local regulations. Erith’s approach mostly involves staying innovative and experimental while avoiding common ventures and focusing solely on advanced engineering projects. “Collaborating with specialized engineering partners globally highlights our commitment to groundbreaking solutions,” says Richard Edwin.
Moreover, Erith’s long-term vision aligns with Richard’s strategic approach, extending to the broader country and regional goals. Establishing offices and manufacturing in the UAE reflects the commitment to in-country value, with an additional presence in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria for better customer engagement. In addition to these, Richard Edwin emphasizes people empowerment, fostering a transparent culture where employees understand risks. He highlights that balancing risks involves strategic assessments, robust financial planning, and staying attuned to market dynamics, reinforcing the company’s position as a forward-thinking player.
The Three C’s: Clarity, Communication, & Consistency
At the helm, Richard Edwin ensures his leadership philosophy is imbibed in the company culture and reflected throughout the organization. He fosters a culture of clear communication and consistency. In doing so, he emphasizes the importance of ensuring everyone comprehends their roles through transparent communication and empowers each individual while aligning them with the company’s values. A fundamental belief guides their approach: always doing the right thing, even when it proves to be the most challenging course of action.
Additionally, Richard Edwin focuses on creating a collective awareness and alignment toward consistently making decisions based on what is morally and ethically right, even when faced with difficulties. Although clear communication and consistency are essential, emphasizing that the right decision is often challenging. This philosophy guides the team in navigating difficult scenarios with an unwavering commitment to doing what is right. Essentially, Richard’s leadership focuses on aligning individuals with company values and consistently making ethically sound decisions. Reinforcing these principles daily creates a work environment where employees embrace a shared commitment to ethical decision-making, prioritizing doing the right thing in all circumstances.
Nurturing Talent and Mentorship for Overall Outcomes
Nurturing talent and mentorship are vital aspects for Richard Edwin; hence, he actively manages teams, emphasizing financial outcomes and individual development. He believes in universal growth, aligning with the company’s dual bottom-line philosophy, valuing financial results and people development equally.
With that being said, Erith leverages internal and external resources, fostering a supportive network through mentorship programs. The company’s commitment to people development is evident in its corporate culture. Each employee benefits from mentorship, prioritizing learning and growth. Richard Edwin recognizes mentors’ pivotal role in guiding professional journeys. As a leader, Richard understands that effective team management goes beyond financial goals. It involves creating an environment supporting continuous learning.
Technological Excellence, Strategic Vision, and Sustainability Goals
Propelling the company forward involves strategically understanding its identity and aspirations. Reflecting on its evolution into a global manufacturer in the Middle East. Under Richard’s leadership, Erith is actively transitioning from being solely a product supply company to focusing on manufacturing, leading to the establishment of a local manufacturing location. This marks a significant phase, expanding beyond manufacturing to become a comprehensive ecosystem. The goal is to actively offer a seamless 360-degree experience for clients, covering product supply, efficient local manufacturing, and personalized services. This strategic vision actively positions the company to shape its role proactively, creating an active, dynamic, and customer-centric ecosystem.
According to Richard, Erith’s success is steered by its clear vision, a steadfast commitment to sustainable high-end technology, and an emphasis on empowering its workforce. This unique combination distinguishes the company in the marketplace and lays a robust foundation for its prosperous, collective future. Moreover, the company acknowledges the importance of technology in pivoting forward, especially in enhancing customer experiences. Hence, it ensures an aligned focus with the future trajectory, characterized by a drive towards low emissions. Erith also takes pride in manufacturing products with low or zero emissions, achieved through collaborations with global entities. This strategic approach responds to current market demands and positions Erith as a proactive contributor to a sustainable future.
A concrete illustration of the impact of Erith’s technology lies in critical applications such as oil fields. These environments often harbor hazardous substances, with even minute percentages of elements like H2S posing severe risks to human health. Certain oil fields contain substantial proportions—30 to 40%, or even 50%—of H2S, which can be fatal. Erith’s products and technology play a pivotal role in mitigating and sometimes eliminating the risk of leakage in these aggressive critical applications.
In addition, Erith’s commitment to technological excellence not only aligns with market trends but also addresses pressing challenges in high-risk sectors. The company is an industry leader in providing safe and sustainable solutions for critical applications by proactively engaging with global partners and leveraging cutting-edge solutions. As it looks towards the future, integrating innovative technology remains a key factor in ensuring both the company’s and stakeholders’ present and future success.
Given the increasing concerns towards climate change and sustainability, Richard Edwin acknowledges the global shift towards sustainability and reduced emissions due to humanity consuming resources 1.5 times faster than the Earth can replenish. In his opinion, the need for innovative strategies aligning with market and customer demands is more crucial than ever. Currently, the market trend is focused on sustainability, a theme echoed at COP 28 in Dubai.
With that being said, Erith actively develops products aligning with market dynamics and the country’s vision for sustainability. The company employs a dual strategy, investing in internal innovation and collaborating with global firms, notably from the US. This approach integrates cutting-edge products, aligning with the leadership’s vision and adapting to market trends. It also avoids commodity-driven practices, tailoring products to meet customers’ unique needs. This customer-centric strategy differentiates the company, offering solutions crafted for specific and evolving customer requirements.
Work-Life Balance as a Strategic Investment
When it comes to striking a perfect balance between work and life, Richard says its imperative for organizations to offer and create a workplace that prioritizes work-life balance and perceives it as a strategic investment in the health, happiness, and productivity of the workforce. By championing these initiatives, Erith seeks to establish a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to maintain equilibrium in their professional and personal lives.
While ensuring a healthy work-life balance is a top priority for Richard Edwin and the company, recognizing its pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and productivity is also necessary. As a result, he sets an example by strictly adhering to the principle that work-related calls should not encroach upon family time unless there’s an emergency. Unless exigencies demand otherwise, weekdays are designed with flexible timings, allowing employees the latitude to adjust their schedules, especially considering commuting challenges.
In addition to flexible work hours, Erith has a unique Wellness Day initiative that involves actively nudging employees to take a day off every month dedicated solely to their well-being. Richard Edwin envisages expanding this concept, possibly extending it to two or even four days, conveniently aligning with weekends at the beginning or end for a more extended rejuvenation period. The underlying philosophy is to emphasize the importance of mental health. Richard firmly believes that dedicating time to focus on mental well-being contributes to a healthier workforce and heightened productivity and overall happiness among employees. The company is committed to fostering an environment where individuals are not just employees but also individuals with holistic well-being.
Inspiring Peers and Drawing Inspiration from Seniors
Richard Edwin continues to create an influential persona among his peers as a seasoned leader. He motivates them with his leadership charisma and ideology to steer success consistently throughout the organization. Moreover, he draws inspiration from several people around him and continues fostering these learnings in his everyday roles and responsibilities. Accrediting the number of people who have inspired him, he believes books are his biggest source of inspiration.
One such book, ‘The Art of War’, has helped Richard with his strategies. He also enlists the people who have helped with his career, starting with his parents and colleagues, who are very important to him. One such important figure in his life is Mike Faulkner, his ex-boss and a great friend. “I just pick up the phone and call him if I need just to pass around a thought or discuss anything that’s really challenging for me or even get a confirmation sort of per se if I need some support, you know. So people over books for me that’s very inspirational,” concludes Richard.
