Matthew Jeffery: A tribute to Simon Richards

Matthew Jeffery is one of Britain’s most experienced global talent and recruitment leaders, with more than 25 years advising boards and C-suite executives on workforce strategy, skills, and productivity.

A life lived in defence of freedom, friendship and conviction.

The passing of Simon Richards, former Chief Executive of The Freedom Association and Chairman of Better Off Out, marks the loss of a man whose life was guided by principle, kindness and an enduring belief in freedom.

Simon was never drawn to politics for recognition or personal advancement. Instead, he devoted decades to ideas he believed strengthened democratic life: freedom of speech, national sovereignty, individual responsibility and respectful debate. For those who knew him, these were not abstract political concepts, but values he lived by every day.

A Lifelong Commitment to Liberty

Simon’s connection with The Freedom Association began when he was still young, inspired by its mission to defend liberty and democratic accountability. What began as early enthusiasm grew into a lifelong vocation. Over many years, he helped guide the organisation through changing political landscapes, ensuring it remained a home for open discussion and principled advocacy.

He worked tirelessly behind the scenes, creating forums where people could meet, argue, laugh and learn from one another. Simon believed politics worked best when it brought people together rather than pushed them into opposing camps. His calm temperament and genuine curiosity allowed conversations to flourish even among those who disagreed.

Many recall that he created something rare in modern politics: a broad “umbrella” under which people of centre-right and freedom-minded views could collaborate beyond party loyalties. He valued shared principles more than tribal divisions, and his approach helped make political engagement feel welcoming rather than exclusionary.

Champion of Sovereignty and Democratic Debate

As Chairman of Better Off Out, Simon became one of the early and steady voices advocating for Britain’s democratic independence. Long before the issue dominated national conversation, he travelled the country speaking thoughtfully and patiently to audiences large and small.

His style was never confrontational. He preferred persuasion to rhetoric and dialogue to division. Even political opponents recognised the sincerity and courtesy with which he advanced his arguments.

A Thatcherite in Principle and Practice

Simon was a sincere admirer of Margaret Thatcher and the values she represented: enterprise, responsibility and freedom under the rule of law. His support extended beyond admiration into action. He was a committed backer and friend of the project to establish the Margaret Thatcher statue in Grantham, recognising it as an important tribute to a figure who shaped modern Britain.

After stepping down as Chief Executive of The Freedom Association in 2020, Simon did not retreat from public life. Instead, he continued quietly supporting causes aligned with his beliefs, including advising and encouraging initiatives such as the Margaret Thatcher Centre. Characteristically, he remained active not for prominence, but out of loyalty to ideas and to the people working to preserve them.

The Man Behind the Politics

Those closest to Simon remember not only his convictions but his warmth. He was unfailingly courteous, thoughtful and generous with his time, particularly with younger activists finding their way into public life. He listened carefully, disagreed respectfully and never allowed politics to overshadow personal decency.

In an era often defined by sharp division, Simon represented a gentler tradition of political engagement, one grounded in civility, friendship and mutual respect.

A Lasting Legacy

Simon Richards leaves behind a legacy measured not simply in campaigns or institutions, but in people. He helped build communities of thought, encouraged cooperation across boundaries and showed that firm beliefs could coexist with kindness and humility.

His influence will endure in the organisations he strengthened, the causes he supported and the many individuals who found encouragement under the inclusive political spaces he helped create.

He will be remembered not only as a committed defender of freedom, but as a good man who made public life a little more thoughtful, a little more welcoming and a great deal more humane.

Rest in peace, Simon. Your quiet dedication and generous spirit will long be remembered.