With over 20 years in the Australian Public Service, Richard brings extensive experience and success in building national and international partnerships while on Australian government diplomatic missions to the Philippines, United Arab Emirates and Canada.

Richard has a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Australia and post-graduate studies in leading regulatory systems. He commenced his Principal Director role in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in 2020 leading culturally and linguistically diverse teams around Australia on biosecurity innovation, research and education programs. He is also co-design lead on the Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity initiative, working with stakeholders across the biosecurity continuum to drive innovation and transformation across Australia’s Biosecurity System.

Prior to commencing his role in DAFF, Richard held various leadership positions in the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force operating in complex and challenging international environments to deliver border and national security programs. Career highlights include leading the international airline liaison officer team at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, an international mail profiling system and deploying the COVID safe app.

Richard is lucky enough to be married to Christina Keane and they have two teenage boys – Nicholas and Thomas. Outside of work, he is an active sportsman who channels his love of all sports through his two boys!