SOPHIE RICHIE MBE

INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST ADVISOR | TRAINER | SPEAKER

Helping professionals navigate complex human situations with confidence, judgement and compassion.

About

16+ YEARS' EXPERIENCE • INTERNATIONAL CAREER • MBE

I have spent over sixteen years working with people in complex, sensitive and often high-risk situations, both in the UK and internationally. In recognition of my commitment to those at risk, I was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of my work in 2019.My career in British public service and diplomacy has taken me from frontline work with vulnerable individuals and families to representing the UK overseas, working across cultures, organisations and professional disciplines. A significant part of that career has focused on forced marriage, honour-based abuse and safeguarding — supporting those at risk while helping professionals understand how to recognise and respond to situations that are rarely straightforward.

I have worked directly with victims, families, police, government agencies and partner organisations, including in cases where decisions had to be made quickly and the consequences were very real. That experience has shaped the way I work today: practical, calm and always centred on the person behind the situation.My work has also taken me into training rooms and professional forums internationally, sharing experience and helping others feel better equipped to handle difficult conversations, recognise hidden vulnerability and respond with confidence.Today, I bring that experience together through specialist advisory work, training and speaking — helping organisations and professionals approach complex human situations with greater understanding, confidence and compassion. Every organisation and every situation is different. If you think my experience could support your people, your practice or your work, let’s start a conversation.

EXPERTISE

Experience built in the real worldMy work is grounded in more than two decades of frontline and international experience,
supporting people and professionals in complex, sensitive and high-risk situations.I help organisations recognise what may be hidden, understand the wider context and make confident, compassionate decisions when there is no simple answer.FORCED MARRIAGE & HONOUR-BASED ABUSEA longstanding specialist area of my work, developed through direct casework, international engagement and professional training.I help professionals understand the dynamics of forced marriage and honour-based abuse, recognise indicators that can easily be missed, and respond safely and effectively - this includes products tailored for different organisations including downloadable and digital visual aids.

SAFEGUARDING & HIDDEN VULNERABILITYRisk is not always obvious.I help professionals look beyond what is immediately visible — particularly where fear, family pressure, culture, coercion or conflicting loyalties may prevent someone from openly asking for help.COMPLEX & HIGH-RISK SITUATIONSSome situations do not come with a clear procedure or an obvious answer - especially those involving trafficking.Drawing on frontline casework and crisis experience, I help professionals strengthen their judgement, manage uncertainty and make considered decisions where the consequences matter.CROSS-CULTURAL & INTERNATIONAL WORKHaving worked internationally and across cultures throughout my career, I bring an understanding of how culture, family, community and professional systems can shape both risk and response.I help organisations approach these situations with greater cultural awareness without losing sight of safeguarding or the individual at the centre.NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT?Not every challenge fits neatly into a category.If you are dealing with a complex people situation and think my experience could help, let’s have a conversation.BRING THIS TRAINING TO YOUR ORGANISATION→

TRAINING AND SPEAKING

Practical learning. Real experience. Conversations that matter.

I DELIVER ENGAGING, EXPERIENCE-LED TRAINING AND SPEAKING
SESSIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN COMPLEX,
SENSITIVE AND HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS. DRAWING ON ALMOST TWO
DECADES OF FRONTLINE, SAFEGUARDING AND INTERNATIONAL
EXPERIENCE:
REAL-WORLD INSIGHT AND CASE EXAMPLES - BRINGING DIFFICULT SUBJECTS TO LIFE
HELPING PROFESSIONALS RECOGNISE RISK, STRENGTHEN JUDGEMENT
AND FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND.

‘I use real-world insight and case examples
to bring difficult subjects to life
helping professionals recognise risk, strengthen judgment and feel more confident about how to respond.’

FEATURED TRAINING:HIDDEN VICTIMS ON CAMPUS
Recognising Forced Marriage, Honour-Based Abuse & Family Coercion in Higher Education
Practical, case-led training for professionals working with students. Helping staff recognise hidden risk, respond safely and know what to do when concerns arise.
ENQUIRE ABOUT CAMPUS TRAINING BELOW →
———
OTHER TRAINING & SPECIALIST TOPICS*Forced Marriage & Honour-Based Abuse
*Safeguarding & Hidden Vulnerability
*Recognising Risk When the Signs Aren't Obvious
*Complex Conversations & Difficult Decisions
*Cross-Cultural Awareness in SafeguardingSessions can be tailored to the audience, from focused briefings and workshops to longer professional development sessions - From a 45 minute presentation to a half day of team training with scenarios.SPEAKINGI am also available for conferences, professional events, panels and guest speaking, bringing an international and frontline perspective to conversations around safeguarding, vulnerability, culture and responding to people in difficult circumstances.Online and in-person sessions available. International enquiries welcome.DISCUSS TRAINING →

WHEN THE SITUATION IS COMPLEX,
THE RESPONSE STILL HAS TO BE HUMAN.

ResourcesMEDIA & FEATURES

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

College: Spotting the Signs downloadable poster.

Other 'awareness raising' products are also available, including this CHANCE poster for professionals on safeguarding and next steps.

LET'S TALKWhether you are looking for specialist advice, professional training, a speaker for an event — or simply want to explore whether my experience could support your organisation — I’d be very happy to hear from you.'You don’t need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch.Tell me a little about your organisation, the challenge you are facing or what you would like to achieve, and we can start from there'.GET IN TOUCHConnect with me on LinkedIn
Based in the USA
Working internationally
Online and in-person engagements availableSTART A CONVERSATION →

Expertise that impacts.
Change that matters.