John B. Richards

John B. Richards began his career as a member of the sales management team for the Procter & Gamble Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. He went on to serve as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company. Over five years at the firm, John B. Richards worked in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, DC, helping to identify growth opportunities for prominent multinational brands such as Heinz.

Leaving to act as vice president of Royal Viking Cruise Lines, in just two years John Richards helped double the firm’s profits before moving to Toronto, Canada, to work as chief marketing and planning officer and later Executive Vice President for Four Seasons Hotels. Under his leadership, the Four Seasons brand outperformed Ritz-Carlton and achieved sustained 30 percent growth rates, expanding from eight locations in three countries to 42 locations in 22.

Later serving as President of North American Operations at Starbucks, John B. Richards was instrumental in the acquisition of brands such as Tazo Tea and Hear Music Inc., achieving a $2.1 billion surge in retail sales. He then achieved a $33 million increase in sales as CEO of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa Holdings, where he built the executive team and pursued an aggressive digital marketing strategy.

In 2006, Mr. Richards joined the New England Consulting Group. As the firm’s managing partner, he provides management consulting services to numerous firms. As a member of the board of directors of Life Time Fitness from 2006 to 2015, he contributed to its expansion into the spa, cafe, and events sector.