With more than two decades of experience in technology advisory, ERP strategy and digital transformation, Richard Serpell brings a distinctive blend of strategic insight and hands-on delivery expertise to Active Directions.
Richard’s career has been defined by his deep specialisation in ERP advisory, guiding organisations through complex system selections, implementations and optimisation initiatives. He has worked with some of Australia’s most recognised organisations, including National Australia Bank, Toyota Australia, Middy’s Electrical and the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, helping align ERP platforms with business strategy to drive measurable outcomes.
His ERP experience spans large-scale, multi-site rollouts across more than 100 national locations, alongside overseeing critical phases of program governance, stakeholder alignment and delivery execution. While his broader background includes cloud, infrastructure and cybersecurity transformation programs, Richard’s core focus is on ensuring ERP investments deliver lasting business value.
Having led complex ERP initiatives as well as supporting enterprise-wide transformation programs, Richard understands what separates successful ERP implementations from those that fail to realise their intended benefits, providing clients with the clarity, structure and confidence needed to navigate these critical investments.
Here’s a short Q&A to get to know Richard and how he works with clients.
There have been several business learnings in the last year, but one of my favourite ones is learning that suppliers of equipment and systems can sometimes find that their product does not reach its full potential because of difficulties relating to the legacy ecosystem within the client organisation.
Getting the most out of the piece of integrated equipment or system often relies on the health and clean operation of other systems being used by the organisation. In my case, the ERP is often the platform that can make or break the productive running of an interfaced system. This has fired my imagination and has made me look forward to opportunities to improve outcomes for clients and suppliers.
As a respected colleague once said in a presentation, SMEs need to stay ahead just to keep up. The conditions under which SMEs will conduct business in the coming year are not going to get any easier and, to remain competitive, organisations are going to need to improve their efficiency. This means that organisations will need to remove as many bottlenecks in their processes as possible.
One of the key bottlenecks in an organisation is the ERP, or lack of it. Time spent verifying data, reconciling transactions, correcting inventory records, aligning reporting and gaining agreement on numbers between departments is time that is not available for delivering an outstanding experience to customers and will impact on market perception, reputation and ultimately profits and shareholder return.
Recognising this and taking meaningful steps to set up a robust ERP, can place the organisation in a strong position to be able to weather the storms ahead.
No Stone Unturned.
Determined. Persistent. Inspired.
A book about the Serpell family history in Australia. I attended a factory tour recently and after that I decided to stick my name badge on the back of my phone. When I subsequently attended an unrelated business networking meeting, and placed my phone down on the table, the guy next to me said 'Richard Serpell'. That’s my surname as well. This is the first time I have met someone from my extended family without a direct introduction. We got talking and it turns out that his grandfather has written a book about the family. He has lent it to me and I'm greatly enjoying learning more about the family history both in Australia and in Cornwall.
I've been fortunate to receive many good pieces of advice through my life and career but one that particularly sticks with me is to never be put off by a cool reception. Initially come out when I was told this by my manager, I thought it was a bit cheeky and figured it was just giving him an excuse to continue to give me a cool reception. Then subsequently, thinking about it more deeply, it has helped to shape me and the way I go about my work and my dealings with people. Sometimes the cool reception is simply a demonstration that what I am presenting is new to the other person and they need time to digest it. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're completely against the idea. So, this piece of advice gives me confidence that there is no harm in continuing to explore ways in which the other person can warm to my idea.
I always enjoy helping people, so I am always happy when people ask me for my help. I get great satisfaction from being able to take a load of the shoulders of other people and being able to see them reach their goals.
Get in touch to explore how Richard’s experience can support your next phase of growth.