Richard is Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen which has, in the last 10 years, taken the lead role in developing the film and television industry in Northern Ireland.
Under Richard’s leadership, Northern Ireland Screen developed the Paint Hall at Titanic Quarter as a film studio and used it to attract Walden Media and Universal Pictures to produce films based there. On the back of increased production activity through Northern Ireland Screen, the facility has subsequently been expanded to include two new purpose-built sound stages, and is now collectively known as Titanic Studios. The full facility is now let out to HBO’s GAME OF THRONES which has returned to Northern Ireland for its fourth season.
During his time, Northern Ireland Screen has supported the development and production of many independent films, all genres of television and a growing number of digital content projects, including HUNGER for which Steve McQueen won the Camera D’Or and Terry and Oorlagh George’s Oscar® winner THE SHORE.
Richard previously worked for Waddell Media, during that time representing Northern Ireland on PACT, the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television. He also previously worked in newspaper management and was a commercial solicitor.