Richard assumed the role of Consul General at the British Consulate-General in Chicago in July 2024. In this capacity, he leads the UK’s engagement across 14 states, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Prior to this, Richard served as His Majesty’s Consul General in Houston from June 2019, where he was responsible for advancing the UK’s interests across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. His work in Houston focused on strengthening political ties, enhancing trade and investment partnerships, promoting science and innovation collaborations, and overseeing consular services for British nationals in the region.
A seasoned diplomat, Richard has held a variety of diplomatic and commercial roles across the globe. From 2015 to 2019, he served as Director for the Caribbean and Central America at the Department for International Trade, working in Caracas, Venezuela, and later San Jose, Costa Rica. From 2013 to 2015, he led the Advanced Manufacturing Investment team at UK Trade and Investment in London, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment to the UK. He also served as British Deputy High Commissioner (Consul General) in Hyderabad and Bangalore, India, between 2007 and 2013, where he spearheaded the restructuring of the British Government network in India.
In earlier assignments, Richard was Deputy Ambassador in Yerevan, Armenia; Commercial Consul in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Vice Consul in Paris. Additionally, he has held several foreign policy positions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
Richard is joined in Chicago by his wife, Jackie. They have two daughters who are currently studying in the UK.