Richard graduated from the Academy in 1989, having studied organ with Patrick Russill and David Sanger, and in 2012 was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. Richard will begin his new role at Saint Thomas Church and Choir School later in the year, succeeding former Academy lecturer Jeremy Filsell.
Since 2012, Richard has served as Director of Music at Rugby School. He conducted the choir of Rugby School in the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham Stadium in 2015. In 2021, he founded the Rugby Choristers at Bilton Grange – the UK’s newest Anglican choral foundation – comprising separate choirs of boy and girl choristers who sing Choral Evensong six times weekly during term.
Richard's distinguished career includes 20 years of regular work as a musical director and organist for BBC Radio 4’s Daily Service, as well as high-profile broadcasts from London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields. He has conducted ensembles including the Malta Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Northern Chamber Orchestra and the period instrument ensemble Canzona. Furthermore, Richard was elected to the Trustee Council of the Royal College of Organists in 2025 and serves as a Trustee of the Rodolfus Choral Foundation.
On this appointment, Richard commented:
'I am delighted to have been invited by Fr. Turner to join the vibrant community at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue... I look forward to building on their legacy, excited by the Vestry’s vision for the future. I am eager to collaborate with the wonderful staff at the church, the choir school and the Professional Children’s School in developing a strategy of ‘expand to preserve' – broadening the church’s musical outreach while safeguarding the unique legacy of the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys for generations to come.'
The Academy would like to congratulate Richard on his new role.