Growing up in a family business shapes you in ways that nurture an entrepreneurial mindset, providing you with skills that guide you whether you remain in private enterprise, start your own venture, or move into the corporate world.

For Richard Crawford, these lessons have fuelled a career defined by bold moves and seizing opportunities. He co-founded Tasmania's internationally acclaimed Henry Jones Art Hotel, Australia’s most awarded hotel under his ownership, renowned for its mantra: “black tie service, with a blue jeans attitude.”

At 40, Richard transitioned from Tasmania’s private business to international corporate life. Since January 2017, he has led hotel expansion in the Asia-Pacific region for Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel group, operating 9,600 hotels across 143 countries. Richard leverages his family business foundations and the hard-earned lessons of private business to challenge conventional thinking with a practical, results-driven approach.

What Richard didn’t know at the time is that his “next is now” moment was unfolding during the familiar daily grind of running a family business. Everything he was experiencing, learning, and doing in his modest private business proved to be the foundation for leadership success at a Wall Street listed company that is opening a hotel, somewhere in the world, every 14 hours.

Richard will share the key lessons he’s learned and how bold decision-making and an entrepreneurial mindset continue to shape his approach to business today.