Richard completed a three-year term at NHS England until March 2025. During his tenure, he oversaw the reorganisation which led to NHS Improvement, NHS-X and Health Education England merging into NHS England, which reduced costs and placed more funding directly into patient care. Additionally, the first NHS Long Term Workforce Plan was delivered and Integrated Care Boards formally established.

Alongside his NHS England role, Richard was a non-executive director at Genomics England – established by the UK Government to bring genomic medicine into routine NHS care and transform diagnosis and treatment of cancer and rare conditions.

Originally from Wolverhampton, Richard moved into healthcare leadership after a 30-year career in financial services and banking, where his senior executive roles included Group Executive Director at Standard Chartered, following finance director roles at the Woolwich and Barclays. He has served in non-executive board roles for numerous organisations including Legal & General, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and TSB Bank, as well as seven years on the Board of HM Treasury.

Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “Today’s NHS is a remarkable machine, providing record levels of care, and it has been humbling and inspiring to witness that front-line work in action. In tandem, research innovations are coming thick and fast which will enable us to be more proactive with patients, address capacity issues and harness the power of new technology. Nowhere are these opportunities greater than in my native West Midlands, making it a very exciting time to join BHP.”