Richard, hailing from a farming family in Shropshire, began his agricultural career with a YTS apprenticeship, followed by a diploma at Warwickshire College. He gained experience working on the Pilkington Estate, Warwickshire and in the U.S. Midwest before becoming Farm Manager at Warwickshire College and later Farms Manager at the Lowther Estate, where he won prestigious awards. In 2008, Richard transitioned to Director of Farming at Lowther, and is now Farms Director for Huntapac Produce Ltd. Huntapac are based in Tarleton, Lancashire which grow, pack and distribute fresh produce across the UK.

Richard is also a Fellow of CARAS and the Royal Agricultural Society, a Chartered Environmentalist, and a mentor for the Lord Plumb Foundation.