About Richard

Richard grew up in a farming family in East Anglia with grandparents from both sides of the River Waveney. He lives with his fiancé, Caroline, whose family home is in Mellis, and their five dogs.

For the early part of his career, he ran a consultancy advising MPs and political candidates and then went on to open two local businesses; a gym and an award-winning wedding and events venue which diversified his family farm.

Since 2018, he has been a member of the Cabinet at Suffolk County Council and was appointed Deputy Leader in 2021. In this role, Richard has become one of the most experienced politicians in the UK at dealing with large energy projects and delivering energy security.

He has led on the opposition to the Norwich to Tilbury pylon run and the response to other large energy projects, like Sizewell C. An experienced political activist, Richard has campaigned in every general election since 2005 and has written opinion pieces for Conservative Home and the Spectator.