Richard started his IT career in Merchant Banking, and became an Assistant Director of Morgan Grenfell (now Deutsche Bank). He moved to Newham Council, in 1989, where he has undertaken a number of ICT management roles before becoming the CIO responsible for ICT and Information Governance strategy, infrastructure and systems. He won the “Public Sector CIO of the Year” award at the 2005 UK Technology, Innovation & Growth awards, and was voted among the most influential and innovative IT Leaders in the “Silicon CIO50” awards in 2007 & 2008. 

Richard is passionate about infrastructure and standards requirements and is a member of various pan-Government Working Groups, including the Local Public Sector CIO Council.

Richard is a long-time member of Socitm, and was President 2008- 2009. He led a root and branch review of its organisation to drive organisational efficiency, support membership development in the Government ICT Profession and play a more proactive role in policy development and Transformational Government leadership. In October 2008 the Society expanded its remit to embrace all who work in ICT in the Public Sector.