Richard is Consultant Nephrologist and Director of the Renal Unit at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chair of the Think Kidneys Programme Board and Co-Chair of the Transforming Participation in Chronic Kidney Disease Programme.

Richard trained at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and the London Hospital Medical College, qualifying in 1985. His early training was in the East London area before he moved into research at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Richard was appointed a British Heart Foundation Fellow to explore the link between cardiovascular disease, calcium signalling and abnormalities of calcium metabolism in chronic kidney disease. He returned to the Royal London Hospital as lecturer and honorary senior registrar in nephrology, before being appointed as a single handed nephrologist at Derby in 1996.

In 2013 Richard was appointed National Clinical Director for Renal for a three year tenure and has also chaired the Kidney Alliance as well as being President of the British Renal Society. Richard’s special interests are in chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, home dialysis therapies, reducing infection in dialysis patients and vascular access.

Richard describes himself as a ‘gadget geek’ and struggles to manage without technology when he’s camping. Away from work music is important to Richard – he plays guitar (and, we’ve heard tell, the ukulele and that he once played in an Abba tribute band, listens to Genesis. His favourite place to visit is the Larmer Tree Festival. He’s also a keen reader and theatre lover.

There are a few other things it might be useful to know about Richard. He qualified as a marksman for the British Army, nearly fell out of a helicopter over Salisbury Plain, drove a 50 ton tank that had no brakes, and during his time in Cambridge rode a bike only three times, all of which ended in injury! Given you’re a keen marathon runner Richard we’d like to suggest you’re safest on two legs! We’ve also heard he goes to Derby County matches, but isn’t a supporter – just takes his son along…….yeah right……