Vernon Richards

Technology leader / ghostwriter / coach / podcaster / author / will smith's digital stunt double

About

I am a Quality Coach & Tester that loves helping orgs, teams and individuals understand the relationship between quality & testing to help them build better products and deliver more effective services.

I've been testing software since 2002 starting with video games on PS2, Xbox and PC. It may not sound like a real job but it’s the truth!

After cutting my teeth in that domain, I worked in several different industries. For example Digital advertising/agency, Bioscience/pharma, eCommerce, Music, Finance, Airline industry, and the Public sector amongst many others.

Since 2010 most of my work has been focused on helping testers in orgs that are adopting collaborative & adaptive (i.e. agile) ways of working. I have helped testers & devs use concepts such as “test cases”, “pass/fail” & “giving confidence” more effectively while helping them incorporate new ideas such as “test sessions”, “quality” and “value” into their everyday work.

By day I'm a Senior Engineering Manager (QA) and a localisation company. Outside of my day job, I consult under the brand Abode of Quality. One of my core values is captured in the following quote:

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude (and how you’re thinking) about the problem.”

- Captain Jack Sparrow (the part in brackets was my addition though!)

I believe that quality & testing problems are actually people problems in disguise! Often the cause of these problems is misaligned goals, different perspectives, low empathy for colleagues, and the list goes on.

Using my experience of nearly 20 years in the quality & testing space, in addition to my coaching skills, I firmly believe that the most effective way to serve the business is to help teams and the individuals within them, to gain new perspectives about themselves and their teammates.

Outside of “the day job”, I am an active part of the testing and wider software development communities. Initially, this amounted to lurking in the background on (RIP) Twitter but later evolved into speaking at meetups & conferences, and delivering workshops.

This further evolved into emceeing and hosting conferences, including international in-person events like Manchester Tech Festival, TestBash and Testathon (hackathons for Testers), online events such Ask Me Anything sessions, and the Software Testing Clinic in the East Midlands

Credentials

  • Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) - Foundations

  • ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Coaching

  • PG Cert in Business & Personal Coaching

  • Black Box Software Testing (BBST)

Some places I've been hired

  • Sky

  • Vodafone

  • ITV

  • easyJet

  • The Financial Times

  • Barclaycard

  • Beats by Dre

  • Renault F1 Team

  • Dunelm

What I'm Doing Now

Come back later and I'll have more info :)

Contact

Use the form below to get in touch!

QUALITY AUDIT

We'll spend time with the team to discover what is and is not working. We turn those insights into a report with recommendations.

QUALITY COACHING

This advisory package is for teams who need support improving their quality culture. We partner with you to set goals and create outcomes.

TRAINING

If your team is new to agile, the agile coaching & mentoring package is ideal. We'll help you put more effective agile practices in place.

The Software Tester's Journey

About the book: This book is for you if you're trying to unlock the next stage in your career growth! We'll give you tips and insights to help you decide not just your next steps but the best direction to take them in, and how to take them!

Ghostwriting

Demonstrate the value of your product or service using email education courses. Build trust with prospects, customers, and clients in the space of a few days.