Northern Ireland Screen has, in the last 14 years, taken the lead role in developing the screen industry in Northern Ireland.

Under Richard's leadership, Northern Ireland Screen developed the Paint Hall as a film studio which was the home of HBO's GAME OF THRONES for eight seasons. And more recently partnered with Belfast Harbour Commission in the development of Belfast Harbour Studios, a new purpose-built studio complex.

During his time, Northern Ireland Screen has expanded its support to cover large-scale production, TV drama, independent film, factual/entertainment, animation and interactive content, including the development and production of many independent films, all genres of television and a growing number of digital content projects, including HUNGER for which Steve McQueen won the Camera D'Or, Terry and Oorlagh George's Oscar winner THE SHORE, Michael Lennox's BAFTA winner and Oscar nominated BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM, multi-award winning DERRY GIRLS and the recent Oscar® for An Irish Goodbye.

Richard previously worked for Waddell Media, represented Northern Ireland on PACT, worked in newspaper management and was a commercial solicitor. He was awarded an OBE in 2019.