Richard, known to many as 'Dick' was born in Northumberland in 1941 to a farming family. He had an elder brother, Chris who lives near York. As a child he had a pony called Midnight on whom he won many rosettes and this was the start of a lifelong interest in horses. Richard attended The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, followed by Newcastle University where he studied agriculture and economics. He was a Geordie, through and through, but his working life was spent in London working for The Ministry of Agriculture. While at the Ministry, Richard was awarded a Kellog's Scholarship to the United States to study for a Masters Degree in agricultural economics. Richard had a short break from working for the Government when he went into partnership with Bruce Armstrong in 1974 to run a dairy farm in Cumbria. Unfortunately, the farm was disbanded and Richard returned to the Ministry of Agriculture to his old job. He was promoted to Head of the Milk Division, and eventually became The Chief Economist. He retired in 1996 and until diagnosed with MND thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, playing golf and bridge, reading and he was an accomplished cook. In 1979 Richard married Christine, also a Geordie and they settled in Hemel Hempstead. They had two children, John born in 1980 and Heather born in 1982. Both children studied economics at University - John at Oxford and Heather at Manchester. John now works for the GES, thereby following in his father's footsteps. The family maintained their links with Northumberland, spending many holidays in Bamburgh, playing golf and enjoying the places of interest and beaches where they continue to have a property.