Richard studied hotel management at university and worked his way up to senior level in Hotels, Travel Management Companies and Event Management agencies. He has owned and operated a restaurant for 5 years and also set up a successful industry consultancy. Currently sitting on several Global Airline, Hotel and Industry Advisory Boards, Richard is extremely knowledgeable and well known across the Global Travel Industry. Richard joined BP in July 2011 as a consultant to implement their first meetings programme. Six months later he was appointed Global Category Manager (Hotels, Meetings & Events). In 2014 recognised by ITM / GBTA as Meetings Manager of the year. In 2016 appointed an additional role of Global ECL (Ethics & Compliance Liaison) across all Procurement. In 2019 Richard took on the lead Globally on all Travel, Meetings & Events Categories and is driving the necessary strategic alignment to bp’s future commitment and aims to sustainability and alternative energies. In 2021 Richard was recognised by BTN within the Industry ‘Hot List’ top 20 industry influencers and also a finalist for Business Travel Awards for Travel Manager of the Year. Post Pandemic the focus has been on realigning to Purposeful Travel and the whole new way of working across the Globe.