Richard led the development of the Midlands Connect Freight and International Gateways 2017 strategies, setting out how road and rail freight, and aviation can help transform the Midlands economy. He is currently leading the £2bn Midlands Rail Hub programme, studying the opportunities to expand rail capacity in central Birmingham, deliver faster services between key economic centres, improve links into HS2, and also expand capacity for freight. His background is in railway analysis and contracting, including many years working for train operators in the Midlands.