Richard Thompson

About

As a Corporate Communications executive, I operate at the intersection of leadership credibility, stakeholder engagement, workforce strategy, and change execution. Drawing on corporate and entrepreneurial experience — including founding an award-winning international communications and marketing consultancy — I excel at building strategic communication capabilities and organizational alignment. I bring deep industry and global experience, having directed communications across 46 countries through M&A, consolidation, restructuring, and business transformation.

Experience

• Vice President, Global Head of Employee Experience & ESG · CWT (f/k/a Carlson Wagonlit Travel)2023 – 2025

  Accountable for enterprise communications, employee experience, employee listening, culture, sustainability, and social responsibility across ~9,000 employees in 46 countries. Member of the Global HR Leadership Team, partnering with the CHRO, CEO, and board committees through sustained global disruption. • Sustained 65% employee engagement and increased town hall sentiment from 37% to 71% during the 18-month pre-close period of a complex acquisition and concurrent divestment • Designed and deployed three AI-enabled communications workflows for translation, FAQs, and sentiment analysis, reducing annual costs by ~$200K • Improved decisional alignment during acquisition, divestment, and global rightsizing by integrating communications with workforce strategy, labor relations, and stakeholder engagement • Elevated leadership presence through virtual town halls, broadcast-style communications, and digital storytelling during sustained disruption

• Vice President, Global Internal Communications & Culture · CWT (f/k/a Carlson Wagonlit Travel)2020 – 2022

  Led enterprise communications strategy and execution through COVID-19, Chapter 11 restructuring, $350M recapitalization, and multiple ownership transitions. • Led enterprise communications through COVID-19, Chapter 11 restructuring, $350M recapitalization, and multiple ownership transitions while maintaining organizational stability • Managed communications for two major global cyber incidents; coordinated investor, employee, and media messaging to preserve trust and protect reputation • Crafted messaging for strategic plan that led to acquisition; directed Global Leadership Conference for top 100 executives, including first virtual edition • Built communications and employee engagement strategies for global return-to-office, office footprint reduction, and future-of-work concepts

• Senior Director / Director, Global Internal Communication · CWT (f/k/a Carlson Wagonlit Travel)2016 – 2019

  Upgraded internal communications function, executive visibility programs, and digital transformation of the company's global intranet. • Launched global intranet in 8 weeks and transformed it into a $1M annual revenue-generating platform; trained 10% of workforce in 6 weeks • Originated Culture Week and Ambassador Program as annual engagement pillars adopted globally • Led internal activation of CWT corporate rebrand; co-created value proposition including employee and ESG pillars and Employer Value Proposition • Improved town hall satisfaction by 10 points to 96% through content strategy and executive coaching

• Founder and Communications / Content & Creative Consultancy Leader · RICHTEXT, Paris, France2000 – 2016

  Award-winning communication & marketing consultancy • Founded and led an international communications, content, and creative consultancy serving multinational B2B and B2C corporations over 16 years. Accountable for P&L, business development, client management, and creative production. • Worked with major clients (Airbus, Sanofi, Capgemini, Nissan, Technip, Cargill, Accor Hotels) and agencies (TBWA\Corporate, W Conran Design) • Directed communications recognized by TOP/COM and ACCE Grand Prix awards • Produced annual reports and financial communications for Amundi, Airbus, and Technip • Managed substantial client budgets and grew revenues 50% over final five years

• Board Chair · Jungle Theater, Minneapolis2022

  Board Chair, Jungle Theater, Minneapolis 2022-present

Education

• University of California, Santa CruzB.A. (with Honors), English Literature
• University of St Andrews, ScotlandExchange, English Literature, Philosophy & Metaphysics
• Kellogg School of Management, NorthwesternSustainability Essentials for Leaders

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