Richard is a co-founder if Ruffena Venture Finance. Richard began his career as a development economist: He was an ODI fellow and worked for the World Bank, IFAD, and the African Development Bank. In 1988 Richard joined KPMG as an Economist and Strategic Consultant.

1999 Richard co-founded Catalyst Venture Partners: a business incubator and corporate finance company.  In 2010 Richard Co-founded Catalyst Business Finance, an asset backed lender.  Between 2010 and 2019  Richard was Trustee and Chairman of Mentoring Plus, a charity focused on providing children from disadvantaged backgrounds with suitable role models in their lives.

Richard is married to Marion Milne, a documentary film maker. They have two children. When not in the office Richard is to be found on a tennis court or horseback riding.