Richard joined Airbus as an undergraduate apprentice in 1993 and following the completion of a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Bath spent 6 years in various leadership roles on the design and manufacture of the A380 wings.

Richard then moved into the Airbus, Wing Centre of Excellence and spent 2 years as the deputy head of engineering, responsible for technical integration topics across all Airbus programmes.

Following his time in Filton Richard then spent 3 years as part of the Airbus Strategy and Future Programmes organisation at Airbus Headquarters in Toulouse. 

Richard moved to GKN in July last year, where he has been appointed Technical Director with Engineering & Technology responsibility for the Aerospace division.