Richard was born in Harrogate in the county of North Yorkshire in northern England. Having a notable passion for the great outdoors and wildlife from a very young age, he spent many years pond dipping, bird watching, fishing and observing nature in the wild and captivity. This inevitably led to the pursuit of a career in natural history and ultimately to become a taxidermist.

Richard trained in a commercial taxidermy environment in rural North Yorkshire in the late 1980s, then in 1994 in pursuit of Scottish natural history and the opportunity to get back to a more simple rural life, he moved with his then wife Linda to the far north of Scotland, and the Highland village of Brora.

His business is still based from a traditional Highland croft house and registered smallholding, some 400 yards from the ocean on the outskirts of the Highland village, a modern purpose built crafts workshop.

Richard is a certified official measurer for Safari Club International and the Rowland Wards Records of Big Game. Having many prestigious clients from around Britain and worldwide, Richard and Northern Natural History are now synonymous with the world of UK taxidermy.

Hobbies and business interests? Along with natural history that would still be his passion for fishing, in particular Highland pike fishing, spending whatever free time is available each year in pursuit of the elusive Highland predator Esox lucius.

Richard continues to be involved with Northern Natural even though many projects at Northern Natural History are now also worked on by other members of staff. Richard has many business interests including various Internet holdings that he as launched and given support to over the years. Details of past, present and future Internet projects can be found under nnh.co.uk