Over 40 years experience within the retail and trade industries, Richard has held various executive roles within a number of international companies including (ARI) as the CEO for ARI Middle East (ARIME). Where Richard held positions on a number of Boards in roles as Chairman, CEO and various Directorship roles as well as working with the exec team of ARI.He also enjoyed 3 years as a member of the board of the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA), also heading up the advocacy committee.

Previously Richard worked in the Supermarket business in the UK with Safeway and Morrisons Supermarkets, where he held a variety of management roles, including Regional Managing Director and Central Retail Operations Director. Based throughout the UK, he established a reputation for consistently delivering strong results and successfully leading large and complex cross-functional projects. Richard also led a number of business improvement initiatives to improve productivity, resulting in significant multi-million-pound savings for the company.

Latterly, Richard enjoyed a successful tenure as Group Operations and Marketing Director for Ridgeon’s, a regional timber and builders’ merchants in the UK, where he developed new brands, new marketing initiatives and identity programmes to drive sales as well as improving systems, operations and efficiency.

Following Richard’s retirement, he now works part time as an independent consultant/ retail advisor, whilst enjoying more time with his family.