Consulting Team

Richard was Executive Director of Finance at Newcastle University for 13.5 years before retiring at the end of 2021. His responsibilities included financial strategy, planning and operations together with the management of the University’s research support, business development and legal teams. During that time he was Vice-Chair of the British University Finance Directors Group, the founding chair of the Higher Education Procurement Association and a director of the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium.

Prior to joining the University, Richard worked for BT in senior finance, sales and technical roles; highlights included being CFO of its £3billion pa customer solutions business, and leading the finance system’s transformation of its numerous global accounting platforms. He has extensive international experience, including two years based in the US; helping to set up Newcastle’s campuses in Singapore and Malaysia; and commercial management of some of BT’s largest global outsourcing and network contracts operating in almost 100 countries.

Richard can provide strategic financial advice to universities wanting to review their strategy, financial plans (including long term funding options) or operating models. He can also provide advice on setting up and managing international operations, the transformation of financial systems and processes, and developing the finance function within the university. He has a keen understanding of university governance and regulation.

During this time at Newcastle, Richard was involved in several of its major partnerships including its joint venture with INTO; its partnership with the Singapore Institute of Technology; development of the Newcastle Helix site (with Newcastle City Council and L&G); and planning for development of the Campus for Ageing and Vitality in the city. He will be happy to share his thinking and experience on proposed major strategic and commercial developments.