Richard Turner

Richard Turner

  • Keynote Speaker
  • The Essential Entrepreneur
  • Based in Australia
  • Showreel
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Richard Turner is a former Australian Entrepreneur of the Year (2010), founded the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in South Australia in 1998 and was Entrepreneur in Residence for the University of South Australia (2019-2021) mentoring hundreds of early stage and scaling businesses.

Richard along with his family has founded three-billion-dollar companies in Australia across different sectors (Manufacturing, Distribution and Energy).

His credentials are outstanding:

  • Australian Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Twice South Australian Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Twice Winner Fast Movers Award (consecutive years)
  • Entrepreneur in Residence (University of South Australia)
  • Founding President Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO)
  • Growth Expert (Australian Centre for Business Growth)
  • Board Chair (Multiple Companies)
  • Author “The Essential Entrepreneur” – What it takes to Start, Scale and Sell a Successful Business (Wiley 2023)

The Richard Turner success story:

  • Family Business – Holbrook Meats → Holco Ltd (IPO 1986) → T&R Pastoral → Thomas Foods ($B)
  • Co-Founded with Brother 1987 – Regency Food Services → Bidvest → Bidfood ($B)
  • Founded 1996 – Regency Staffing → Chandler McLeod Hospitality Staffing
  • Founded 1998 – Young Entrepreneurs Organisation (YEO) → Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO)
  • Founded 2004 – ZEN Home Energy Systems → ZEN Energy ($B)

Speaking topics

What it takes to Start, Scale and Sell a Successful Business

Scaling – Preparing for Rapid Growth

Defining the Role of Founder / CEO

During this session Richard will take you through the journey of his family founding three businesses in Australia that have each become $billion companies, all from either the dining room table or his children’s cubby house, including his last company “ZEN Energy” that is currently leading Australia’s energy transition.

From manufacturing to distribution to energy, Richard has deep industry knowledge and experience across all the challenges that can derail a business on its journey, how to avoid them, the fundamentals that must be in place, and how to continually innovate, disrupt and lead industry sectors to position your business for a successful capital raise or exit.

He will talk about how he looks at growth and strategy and relates it to the spirit of entrepreneurship.

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