Richard is very family orientated. He is married with a son (Senior IT Consultant), a daughter (Senior Social Worker), a daughter-in-law (Teacher), a son-in-law (Insurance Underwriter) and four grandchildren.  He has a brother, David, who owns his own financial services business.

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He was fortunate to grow up in a loving environment with parents who had an excellent work ethic and a strong interest in their sons' education.  His mother started her career as a secretary but went on to be the manager of a caravan company. This probably led to Richard’s love of caravanning and the outdoor life.

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Richard’s father came from a working-class family of modest means, but, through self-improvement at night school, qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant.  After many and varied steps along the way (including being the ‘money and marketing man’ for Radio Atlanta/Radio Caroline), he ended his career holding senior management positions for the Daily Mail/Northcliffe Group of newspapers.  Although he was an athlete of some distinction in his younger years, he suffered from genetic heart issues from his mid-thirties which blighted his later life.

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This fact was pertinent to Richard’s choice of career, wishing to contribute to good health and education for everyone and, in some small part, lessen the heartache of ill health.

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Richard’s wife, Jo, is a retired clinical podiatrist, but has always acted as Richard’s research assistant and still fulfils the role to this day. 

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They now live in West Yorkshire looking over the Derbyshire Peak District to the west and towards Emley Moor to the east.  They enjoy walking, cycling, caravanning, boating and, of course, spending time with their family.  Richard also has a strong interest in photography.