Richard began his social work career in 1977 after graduating from the London School of Economics. He trained originally as a psychiatric social worker at Manchester University Medical School and went on to work in a variety of social work practice, policy and management roles before becoming Director of Social Services and Housing for Herefordshire County Council in 1998. Two years later, he also became Chief Executive of Herefordshire Health Authority.

From 2002 Richard worked for the Department of Health to support the implementation of national health and social care policy; initially as Director of the Health and Social Care Change Agent Team and then Chief Executive of the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) until summer 2007.