Richard has spent most of his career optimising and designing wastewater treatment plants. He has focused on reducing chemical consumption and power inputs whilst reducing footprint. Other aspects of his role has been in minimising the effects of wastewater discharges on the environment and public health and respecting community and local indigenous cultures.

He currently focuses on how carbon and digital engineering can enable significant cost efficiencies aligned to greater sustainability and he is trying to bring these proven efficiencies to the Australian water sector.