Richard is the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University, and the University’s Senior Accountable Officer. His role includes:

• Responsibility to the Board of Governors for all aspects of the leadership and performance of the institution, including its overall strategy
• Member of the Board of Governors
• Chair of University Executive Group and Senate
• Institutional Profile raising and ambassadorial work at regional, national and international level.

He has been the Vice-Chancellor of the University since October 2024, when he joined from the University of Newcastle where he was PVC Global and Sustainability. Prior to this, he was Director of Durham Energy Institute and Dean Knowledge Exchange and Impact at Durham University. He is an earth scientist by training, studying at the University of Reading and the University of Edinburgh before working in the oil and gas industry for ExxonMobil. His research has focused on sedimentary basins, climate change and marine methane hydrates. As Vice-Chancellor, he is committed to enhancing student experience and driving impactful research that benefits Plymouth, the South West, and the wider global community. In his spare time, he is an avid squash player and plays at a competitive level for the University of Plymouth team.