Building a Global AI Leader: Richard Potter on Peak’s Mission and Growth

[00:00:00] Host:
Hello, and welcome to The Startup Diaries Podcast, brought to you by Burns Sheehan—a leading insights-driven technology recruitment business based in Manchester and London. Today, we’re thrilled to have Richard Potter, Co-Founder and CEO of Peak, joining us. Richard is a pioneer in AI and a visionary leader.

With a background in semiconductors and a passion for data, Richard co-founded Peak to help businesses optimize decision-making through artificial intelligence. In this episode, we’ll explore Richard’s journey, from his early days as a business analyst to building a global AI platform.

We’ll also delve into the challenges of scaling Peak from a startup to a leader in AI, navigating AI adoption complexities, and the strategic pivots that have helped Peak thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Richard also shares personal insights on leadership, the growing tech ecosystem in Manchester, and building a purpose-driven business in the AI sector.

So, whether you’re an AI enthusiast, tech leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Richard, it’s fantastic to have you with us today—though technically, I’m here at the Peak offices. Thanks for hosting me!

The Peak AI Story

[00:02:00] Host:
Let’s start with an introduction for our listeners. Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how Peak came to be?

[Richard Potter:
Sure! I’m one of the co-founders of Peak and serve as its CEO. At Peak, we provide an AI platform that helps our customers optimize their key business decisions—whether that’s inventory planning, product pricing, or promotional strategies.

We work with many well-known brands, such as Nike and Ralph Lauren, and integrate our AI into real-world processes across industries like manufacturing, consumer goods, and retail. We’ve been around for quite some time now—starting in the AI space before this latest wave gained momentum.

Our journey began with a key insight: businesses leveraging data for decision-making consistently outperformed those that didn’t. We wanted to democratize that capability. However, we encountered numerous barriers—technical, skills-related, and otherwise. As we developed our product, we realized the greatest value came from applying machine learning and AI to these challenges.

Since around 2016–2017, we’ve been scaling Peak as an AI platform to help businesses unlock that potential.

Personal Journey and Influences

[00:04:00] Host:
Before we dive deeper into Peak’s journey, I’d love to learn more about your personal story. What led you to this point?

[Richard Potter:
I’ve always had a keen interest in business. As a child, I remember reading business newspapers, even if I didn’t fully understand them at the time. I studied Business Studies, focusing on practical applications like entrepreneurship and case studies, which I found fascinating.

Both my parents influenced me—my dad ran software businesses, and my mum, who completed an MBA, worked in education. Watching them made me believe I could pursue similar paths.

After university, I joined a semiconductor company as their first business analyst. It was an exciting time—we’d just IPO’d, and I had to figure out analytics from scratch. That experience taught me a lot about problem-solving and adaptability. Later, I transitioned to equity analysis at UBS, covering tech stocks, which broadened my understanding of the industry.

Eventually, I moved back into operational roles, joined my first startup, and gained hands-on experience in scaling a business. These experiences collectively inspired me to start Peak.

The Manchester Tech Scene

[00:10:00] Host:
Peak is often celebrated as a key player in Manchester’s tech ecosystem. Why Manchester, and what are the challenges of operating here?

[Richard Potter:
We started Peak in Manchester simply because we lived here. It’s an incredibly connected city, with great transport links, a lower cost of living, and a strong talent pool in engineering, product development, and marketing.

That said, the ecosystem has evolved significantly. When we started, Manchester lacked the depth of a mature tech hub—there were few SaaS or deep-tech companies and limited access to specialized talent. However, it has grown immeasurably over the years. Today, it’s a brilliant place to build a business, with a collaborative community and a lot of positivity.

The biggest challenge we still face is access to niche skills—such as SaaS marketing or specialized product roles—and capital, though that’s more of a UK-wide issue.

Leadership and AI Adoption

[00:18:00] Host:
Peak was pioneering AI long before it became mainstream. What was it like being at the forefront of AI adoption?

[Richard Potter:
When we started, most businesses didn’t fully grasp AI’s potential. We spent a lot of time educating customers about how AI could transform decision-making. Back then, it was more about showing what was possible and helping businesses understand the value AI could bring.

Now, with the rise of generative AI, there’s less need for education, but businesses still struggle to determine how to implement it effectively. For us, it’s always been about solving real-world problems—whether through AI, machine learning, or any other tool. The goal is to create tangible value for our customers.

Future Vision

[00:32:00] Host:
What’s the vision for Peak, and where do you see the company heading?

[Richard Potter:
We believe AI will fundamentally change how businesses operate, and we’re focused on being part of that shift. We see ourselves as a global AI platform, helping companies make better decisions at scale.

Operationally, we’ll continue to grow our Manchester HQ and engineering teams in India, while expanding sales and distribution internationally. Our goal is to lead this market and ensure Peak remains at the forefront of AI innovation.

[00:37:00] Host:
Richard, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It’s been an absolute pleasure.