Jonathan Richards - Operations manager
Jonathan is a lifetime native and proud advocate of Sheffield, with over 16 years’ service in the public sector, primarily working across Sheffield City Council. His career spans a wide range of frontline and operational services, including customer services, income management, legal recovery, policy and procedure development, property regeneration, and housing services, giving him a strong, practical understanding of how public services operate and how they impact residents and communities.
Jonathan now works within Business Sheffield, where he focuses on supporting the team to help businesses to start, thrive and grow, with a mission to strengthen Sheffield’s economy and ensure local enterprises are well‑placed to succeed.
His work centres on improving access to support, opportunities and procurement, and on connecting businesses with the right advice, networks and partners to support sustainable growth.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has developed and led teams across complex service areas, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners and service users. His experience has shaped a delivery‑focused approach grounded in clear communication, problem‑solving, critical thinking and collaborative leadership, supporting services and programmes to deliver meaningful outcomes for the city.
Jonathan is actively involved in the Diverse Business Advisory Board (DBAB), contributing to work that has reshaped how the Council and its partners engage with under‑represented founders and businesses across Sheffield. Through DBAB, he supports inclusive approaches to procurement, visibility and access to opportunity for diverse‑led enterprises. This work was recognised when Business Sheffield received the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award at the Sheffield Business Awards, reflecting the Board’s collective impact on inclusive economic growth.
Alongside his professional role, Jonathan is passionate about collaboration, community engagement and supporting charitable activity through local and regional initiatives, bringing a strong sense of place, fairness and purpose to his work.
