Who we are
Richard Brabner is the Founder of Godwinson Consulting and is a Visiting Professor of Civic Engagement at Newcastle University and LPIP Fellow at the University of Birmingham.
Richard has over a decade of experience as a senior leader in the higher education and social purpose sectors with a proven track record of delivering institutional transformation and sector-wide change through innovative initiatives.
Ten years ago Richard set up the sector-leading UPP Foundation, a legally independent corporate charity funded by student accommodation provider UPP.
In this role he established and led nationally recognised thought leadership programmes such as the Civic University Commission and Student Futures Commission. Working in partnership with vice-chancellors from world-class universities, senior regulators and policy makers from government and arms-length agencies, and chief executives from sector bodies to deliver tangible impact across universities, students and local communities. Under his leadership the Foundation also invested over £2m in over 40 pilot projects, including the creation of Student Minds’ University Mental Health Charter.
In his corporate role, Richard led a multidisciplinary team to create, deliver and communicate UPP’s strategy for ESG (Environment, Social and Governance). Following this step change in its approach to ESG, UPP increased its GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) score from 75% to 93%.
Richard combines his consultancy role with leading policy and advocacy for Civic 2:0 – a campaign supported by the University of Birmingham, Newcastle University, Queen Mary, University of London, Midlands Innovation and the Nation Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement to advocate for the right incentives to support the economic, cultural social and environmental role universities have in their places.
Richard offers a unique blend of strategic vision, stakeholder engagement, governance expertise, and thought leadership, underpinned by a deep commitment to social purpose.
For more information or to discuss further please contact: richard@godwinsonconsulting.co.uk
Why Godwinson?
It may seem strange for the name of a new consultancy to be inspired by the last crowned Anglo-Saxon King of England. After-all, his reign lasted a mere nine months before a bloody end at the Battle of Hastings. Superstitious folk could be forgiven for a dark sense of foreboding as Godwinson Consulting ventures into the world.
But at the heart of GC is place, and the place I am from and continue to be associated with is Harold Wood – a neighbourhood in the London Borough of Havering, the most easterly London Borough north of the Thames which borders Essex. The name Harold Wood has been recorded since the 13th Century and was named after Harold Godwinson (Harold II) reportedly because he hunted in the area before he became King.
I was born in Harold Wood hospital (now a modern housing development) and since the age of eight have proudly played for Harold Wood Cricket Club. While I now live in South East London, I continue to take the trip under the Dartford crossing each Saturday in the summer to play for my boyhood club. Harold Wood, and the next-door towns of Hornchurch and Upminster remain ‘my place’ – the community I grew up in and feel a real sense of belonging towards. It is the place where my family are from.
At Godwinson Consulting we understand that place really matters. The physical, social, economic and cultural characteristics of where people live, work and play profoundly shapes their opportunities, identity, wellbeing and quality of life. This understanding inspired the concept of the Civic University Commission which I established to revitalise the role universities play in their towns, cities and regions. The Commission recognised that stark geographical inequalities – both between and within regions – are at the centre of the economic, political and social upheaval we have faced in recent years, and institutions, like civic universities, have an important role to play in helping their places to prosper.
For a business, university or public sector body to develop successful social value, public affairs, stakeholder relations or reputation management the interaction they have with their place is fundamental. Godwinson Consultancy is a response to that reality.
