Richard Preston: Tributes paid to uncompromising idealist
Richard Preston (pictured, below), Honorary Fellow of Association for Project Management and a well-respected figure in the project profession, has passed away aged 70, following a long battle with illness.
Described as an ‘uncompromising idealist’ and ‘a constant source of insight’ by those who knew him, Richard forged a distinguished career in project management, with a focus on education and development.
Richard was awarded Honorary Fellowship of APM in 2004 and was a long-time volunteer with APM. In particular, he spent many years volunteering with APM’s North West Regional Network, including a spell as Chair from 2020 to 2024.
After being diagnosed with amyloidosis – a rare disease caused when abnormal proteins accumulate as ‘amyloid deposits’ in body tissues and organs – Richard established the charity Amyloid Action with his wife, Kathryn, to raise awareness and funds.
Dr Bill Egginton, also a Fellow of APM and a Registered Project Professional, knew Richard for over 25 years. He said: “Richard was my mentor when I joined APM as an assessor, and over the years, was a constant source of insight, challenge and advice. It was easy to forget Richard's personal health situation. He never made it out as being a big issue, rather more of an irritation than the serious condition it was.
“Richard spoke truth to power, with a Northern candidness and directness that I daresay some found uncomfortable, but which I genuinely enjoyed and respected. He made light of life, and made me and others laugh. Thank you Richard for our time together.”
Scott Walkinshaw, APM’s Head of Knowledge, said: “As a volunteer, trainer and assessor, Richard was always a passionate advocate for the profession, and for APM. He was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking or speak candidly about how to improve project skills and capability.
“In many ways he was an idealist; he could be uncompromising in his views, but he always debated with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He shaped the development of countless project practitioners, which leaves a lasting legacy for the profession.”
Katie Rogers, BAE Systems, said: “During their time as co-chairs of the APM North-West network, Richard Preston, alongside Neil Horner, supported us with a collaborative project between our organisation and the APM. The aim of this project was to increase engagement between our project management apprentices and the APM. Richard was extremely knowledgeable, and we respected the experience and perspective that he was able to bring to our sessions. This promoted our ability to think outside of the box, a task that was fairly challenging for new apprentices that had their corporate thinking hats on!
“Despite his health struggles, Richard went above and beyond to collaborate with us and assist our development as well-rounded project professionals. Richard always brought his spirit, energy, and personality to all that he did; a true supportive and encouraging person championing the profession and those who work within it. He will be greatly missed.”
Neil Horner, APM Fellow, said: "Richard and I first met in 2021 as independent professionals determined to make a positive impact on our profession. From here, a respect, friendship and comradery formed, enabling us to share co-chair North West network responsibilities in 2022-23, with Richard's unwavering support, as we stabilised the new North West Regional Network.
"Richard's immense depth of experience, insight and perspective was always delivered in a unique way. From paper aeroplanes to building towers, he found ways to engage people emotionally, converting theory into practical, memorable practice. Richard will forever be a foundation of achievement in the North West, and a professional, friend, and companion I will forever respect and miss dearly."
Donations to Richard’s charity, Amyloid Action, can be made here.
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I’ve known Richard for over 10 years, initially meeting at several APM North-West events and then getting to know him better when he was motivated to take on chairing the North-West Branch after me in 2017. Having taken on the role for 1 year, he maintained it through the many problems Covid – 19 brought, extending out to around 6 years with help from Neil in the later stages. As our friendship grew it became evident that he had wide experience in both the professional commercial world and in academia. One of his gifts was the ability to inject a sense of fun into project management topics which could otherwise be very dry and technical. His interest was to get young professionals, or those aspiring to be, to learn by doing rather than just by sitting listening to a presenter talking or watching a webinar. I’m sure he liked to play the disruptor in discussions but always in a positive way, asking questions that no-one else had thought of or putting forward his sometimes-forthright views on how various possible scenarios might play out. I’m sure he enjoyed working our fellow APM volunteers in the North-West and was happy to contribute where he could despite his long-standing health problems which he dealt with in a typically practical fashion. He was also a great companion at a restaurant meal or Christmas celebration where the conversation could wander around a wide range of topics usually with energetic debate. I was happy to call him at irregular intervals for a chat about cricket or for his view on issues which affected the NW Network events or volunteer community. I’ll certainly miss this part of our relationship and it is already strange to think he is no longer at the other end of a phone call. Phil Hardy.