About the Firm
Thirty years in municipal government.
Harding Strategies was established to provide management and organizational consulting to local governments in British Columbia. Our work draws on direct experience inside municipal government — the kind that shapes how you read a situation and what you recommend.
Our Story
A practice built on municipal experience.
Richard Harding has spent more than 30 years in senior leadership roles across B.C. municipal government. His career includes serving as Deputy CAO and General Manager of Community Services for the City of Nanaimo, General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture, and Interim City Manager. He currently serves as CAO for the District of Ucluelet.
That background shapes how we approach every engagement. We understand the political and operational realities of local government — the relationship between council and staff, the constraints on resources and timelines, and the difference between a recommendation that works on paper and one that can actually be implemented.
We work with a small number of clients at a time. That keeps us focused and allows us to give each engagement the attention it deserves.
How We Work
A few things we take seriously.
Candour
We tell clients what we actually think — including when the answer is inconvenient. Honest advice is the only kind worth paying for.
Collaboration
We work with your team, not above it. The best outcomes come from combining an outside perspective with your inside knowledge.
Discretion
Our clients trust us with sensitive information and difficult situations. We take that trust seriously and protect it absolutely.
Practicality
Our recommendations are designed to be implemented. A plan that sits on a shelf is just a document.
Who We Work With
Local governments and public bodies across B.C.
Our clients are primarily municipalities, regional districts, and other public bodies involved in the provision of local services in British Columbia. We are comfortable working at the council and board level, with senior staff, and with community stakeholders.
Ready to talk?
We're glad to have an initial conversation — no obligation, no pitch. Just a chance to understand what you're working on.