Richard has worked in executive roles in the NHS and local government commissioning, delivering a wide range of health and care services. He was Executive Director for Adult and Community Services for Lancashire County Council and has also worked as a senior civil servant in the Department of Health and in a senior role in NHS England.

Richard is a social worker with experience of both child and adult services. As President of the Association of Adult Social Services, he was involved in developing the Think Local Act Personal partnership across social care, which he chaired for its first 18 months.

Richard chairs the Nominations Committee of Shared Lives Plus, serves as chair of Syncora Ltd, and an independent chair of Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Calico Group, and Fairoak Housing Association.