At Changefirst, our purpose is to equip leaders and their teams with the skills, tools and techniques they need to be better at delivering major Organisational Change. 
And our network of Associates is key to enabling that. In fact, our Associates are:  

• advanced Change Practitioners, certified trainers, coaches and facilitators with a passion for helping leaders and their teams become more Change capable 

• experts with extensive experience of planning, enabling and delivering effective business change and a deep understanding of the human implications of major Organisational Change 

• aligned with our values of serving global organisations with the combination of a consistent approach to enabling Change, allied with the deep local and cultural understanding they bring  

Below is an introduction to one of our Associates, Rick Charlton, who joined us in 2023. 

Rick Charlton – Changefirst Associate (EMEA) 

Rick is a highly experienced Leadership, Coaching and Change Management professional.     

Background 

Rick’s military background, plus his upbringing in - and deep passion for Africa - has informed his inclusive approach to Leadership Development.  With a ‘blinkers-off’ understanding and appreciation of people and diverse cultures, Rick actively embraces opportunities to develop Leaders and Change Champions from wherever they have arisen. 

Specialisms and sectoral experience  

An impactful consultant, trainer/facilitator and coach for global defence, aerospace and oil and gas industries, he has worked extensively in risk management and behaviour safety for global aerospace and defence organisations. Rick’s experience also includes various operational leadership roles - including as Head of Change Management driving Nuclear Decommissioning and leading capability development in Risk Management, Change, Project and Programme Management. 

Certifications and accreditation 

Rick holds Change Management certifications from Changefirst, PROSCI and APMG - as well as APM Project Management and MSP Programme Management qualifications. He trained as a Coach with Performance Consultants International and has a post graduate qualification in Action Learning for Organisational Development. He is co-author of the book Visionary Male Leaders. 

Personal focus 

He is a former Director of the World Institute of Action Learning (WIAL). He also currently volunteers as the Operations Officer for the UK charity Veterans for Wildlife – who support conservation efforts and anti-poaching operations worldwide. By working to repurpose the skills of volunteer veterans of the military and emergency services. 

Interested in learning more about how Changefirst and our network of Associates like Rick who can help enable effective Change in your organisation? Then contact us for a no-obligation discussion with one of our Change Experts about your specific Organisational needs.

You can also find more information about becoming a Changefirst Associate here.