Principal Consultant

MSc Recreation Management, Loughborough University (UK), BSc Estate Management, Northumbria University (UK), Diploma of Leisure Management, Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (UK)

Richard is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the Sport and Recreation sector. He has a diverse background, having worked in commercial organisations, local government, and not-for-profit entities. His consultancy journey began in 1998 in the UK, and he has continued this work in the sector in New Zealand since 2005.

Throughout his career, Richard has played a significant role in the development of various National and Regional Facility Strategies. He specialise in understanding the changing demographic and trends analysis and has expertise in sport business and financial modelling, facility demand analysis and utilisation modelling, sport, recreation and open space planning and feasibility.

Before joining his current position at RSL, Richard was Director at Global Leisure Group since 2015 becoming Managing Director in 2023. Notably, he has taken a leading role in shaping critical strategies such as the National Aquatic Facility Strategy and the National Indoor Active Recreation and Sport Facilities Strategy.

Richard is deeply rooted in his local community, living in Warkworth. He actively participates in community initiatives, serving as a Trustee of a community facility redevelopment trust and contributing to a local amateur theatre company. Outside of his professional and community engagements, Richard enjoys spending time with his family; he is married with two adult children. He also indulges in his passion for outdoor activities, particularly running and walking through the Mahurangi and Rodney region.