Richard Leslie
About Richard Leslie
Richard Leslie is a UK Business Development Manager and CEO with extensive experience in connecting UK companies with nearshore software service partners. He currently leads The Sourcing Hub Ltd and Ukuwait, while also serving as an E2E Ambassador and holding a position at First Line Software.
Work at First Line Software
Richard Leslie serves as the UK Business Development Manager at First Line Software, a position he has held since 2019. In this role, he focuses on expanding the company's presence in the UK market. His responsibilities include identifying new business opportunities and fostering relationships with potential clients. Leslie's experience in business development enables him to effectively communicate the value of First Line Software's services to prospective partners.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
In addition to his role at First Line Software, Richard Leslie is the CEO of The Sourcing Hub Ltd, a position he has held since 2018. He also serves as an E2E Ambassador at E2E since 2020 and is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ukuwait since 2019. His various roles involve strategic oversight and business development, emphasizing partnerships that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency for UK companies.
Education and Expertise
Richard Leslie studied at the University of the West of England, where he earned a BA in Business Studies from 1990 to 1993. He also attended Rugby School in Warwickshire from 1984 to 1989. His educational background provides a foundation for his extensive experience in business development, particularly in the software services sector, where he has developed expertise in strategic sourcing and partnership management.
Background in Business Development
Richard Leslie has a significant background in business development, having worked at Aplana Inc. from 2005 to 2014 and DataArt Technologies UK Limited from 2001 to 2005. Over these years, he built a portfolio of over 20 software services businesses across various Eastern European countries. His experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of the domain expertise and specializations of nearshore partners.
Focus on Strategic Sourcing
Richard Leslie focuses on helping UK companies reduce development overheads and increase speed-to-market through strategic sourcing partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that outsourcing relationships are based on technology skills, industry knowledge, and cultural compatibility. His approach aims to create effective collaborations that benefit both UK businesses and their nearshore partners.