Richard graduated in 1980 with a joint honours degree in Geography and Economics and took his first position in financial services in 1981 as a trainee consultant with a life office.

Richard has been involved in the financial services profession ever since and in 1986 moved over to the IFA sector, providing financial planning advice to employees of Blue Chip multi-national businesses such as Kodak; Smith Kline Beecham; and Astra Zeneca.

In 1997 Richard was recruited to establish an Independent Financial Advisory faculty within a provincial accountancy practice, which was eventually absorbed within a National top 10 practice, and of which Richard was a Board member.

In 2004 Richard was headhunted to help resurrect the ailing IFA arm within a National Accountancy practice and this was subsequently sold in January 2010.

Richard has a Full Financial Planning Certificate and is studying towards the Diploma; in addition he has gained advanced qualifications in pension planning and investment planning. Richard’s intention is to become ‘Chartered’ in the next few years.

Away from work Richard has an active lifestyle, invariably revolving around the sporting pastimes that his wife & 3 children pursue.

Having played rugby and cricket Richard now coaches’ junior rugby teams, one of which won the U14’s Lancashire Plate Final in 2009.