Richard Thompson
Since leaving school at 16 with five O-Levels, Richard has gone on to found three start-up businesses, all of which have been successfully acquired or floated. His awards include Marketing Agency of the Year, Sunday Times Board of the Future member and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Richard has worked in all aspects of the entertainment industry, from managing household name talent to brands, broadcasters and rights holders in both the UK and internationally. He is the chairman and founder of international talent management agency M&C Saatchi Merlin. Richard personifies the philosophy of the Debrett’s Foundation and he is the chairman of Debrett’s People of Today. He is also the chairman of Surrey County Cricket Club, Mama Group PLC (The UK’s largest independent music, live venue and festivals business) and Twofour Group, the UK’s TV Production Company of the Year in 2014.
