RWPN

Richard has enjoyed a long career in sight loss and sensory services, qualifying as a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist in the mid-90s. He progressed into leadership roles in charity and public sector settings and is trustee and chair of two local charities. He has a passion for empowering people to achieve their chosen goals, and for collaborating with partners to create quality, person-centred solutions that really work.

In a Local Authority role, Richard developed The Sensory Centre, bringing several services together under one roof to provide a seamless customer experience. Then as a Senior Leader at Guide Dogs, he played a key role in developing the habilitation service for Children and Young People, and oversaw all services for adults, including Vision Rehabilitation. Richard also led on Additional and Complex Needs services, Technology provision, and numerous wellbeing and DEI initiatives.

As a freelance consultant, Richard convened and chaired the national Trailblazer Employers Group, creating an updated apprenticeship standard for Vision Rehabilitation. He also carried out a review of sensory services within a northern UK Local Authority area, and has worked with Irish Guide Dogs to deliver and develop their national Orientation and Mobility services.

Richard also chaired the charity sector group set up to review post-clinical and rehabilitative services, and managed the associated research project. He has been an active member of networks and partnerships across the UK.

Richard grew up with a mother who is totally blind, providing an excellent role model as well as helping him to develop a keen understanding of the needs of people with  vision impairment.

He said, “it is an amazing privilege to lead RWPN’s next exciting phase of development. I can’t wait to work with partners across the sector to develop a stronger voice for the professions and for the benefit of people with sight loss. We know that the habilitation and rehabilitation workforces are patchy around the UK, but also that demand is rising rapidly. We need to be innovative and fleet of foot and I’m honoured to be able to champion the work of these two incredible roles.”