Having joined Alzheimer’s Society in September 2020, Richard is the Associate Director of Research and Innovation. Richard plays a critical role in the development and implementation of the Society’s Research Strategy; working with the Director of Research and Influencing to lead our growing and ambitious world class research programme and portfolio. Richard heads up our Research Grants, Research Communications and Innovation teams. Together, they aim to ensure we provide essential funding and support to researchers and entrepreneurs, continue to engage people affected by dementia and communicate key milestones and developments in research across our networks and to the wider population.

Prior to joining Alzheimer’s Society, Richard worked for eight years at Cancer Research UK, in roles including Head of Research Information and Communications. In this role, Richard led on the implementation of a new communications strategy underpinned by audience insight and focused on delivering the maximum impact for organisational priorities. Richard is a biochemist by background, completing his PhD in biochemistry at Bristol University (which was funded by the EPSRC) before undertaking his post doctorate in Tissue Engineering at the EPFL, Switzerland. He is committed to driving forward Alzheimer’s Society’s research agenda, prioritising support for the future dementia research leaders and to continuing to develop our leading role with regards to Patient and Public Involvement in Research. He wants to see the Society continue to fund world leading research in areas which will have the greatest impact for people affected by dementia.