Global Communications and Public Affairs Agency. Grayling.com

Educational charity working for peace, justice and equality in Israel and Palestine. balfourproject.org

Statutory watchdog working to combat inequalities and ensure the voice of patients is heard in health and social care in Birmingham and Solihull.healthwatchbirmingham.co.ukhealthwatchsolihull.org.uk

bcabs.org.uk

International humanitarian NGO working in West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. map.org.uk

After standing down from Labour’s Front Bench, re-joined the IDC after the 2017 Election, monitoring the UK’s performance towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and working on key development issues including the Rohingya crisis, Yemen, Syria, global education, and sexual exploitation and abuse in the Aid Sector.

Acknowledged as one of Parliament’s leading experts on the Israel-Palestine conflict and a frequent visitor to the area. Key leadership role in winning the October 2013 House of Commons resolution calling for recognition of the State of Palestine alongside Israel. Also former Chair of Jordan All Party Parliamentary Group and VIce-Chair of Lebanon All Party Party Group

Coordinating Parliamentary activity related to the automotive and motorsport sectors at a time of rapid technological and structural change, working closely with key industry stakeholders.

Birmingham Northfield constituency is best known as the home of the Longbridge car plant. Richard played a leading part in the two Task Forces set up by Government to coordinate the regional responses to BMW’s sale of Rover Group in 2000 and the collapse of MG Rover in 2005. The recommendations of the Task Forces helped modernise and diversify the automotive supply chain in the Midlands and match employees who lost their jobs with retraining and employment opportunities. Its work in supporting companies affected by the closure of Longbridge also provided a model for similar initiatives in response to the financial crash of 2008/9. As the local MP and subsequently, Richard has driven initiatives to build community empowerment and resilience in South West Birmingham - an area in transition that has faced deep social and economic challenges over the past three decades.

Travelled extensively in the developing world and played an active role in the Inquiries and reports of this influential Committee following the agreement by the United Nations of the Millennium Development Goals. Chaired IDC sub-committee to which the Independent Committee on Aid Impact (ICAI) reports.

Founding Chair of Regional Select Committee for the West Midlands established in 2009.The Committee published reports on the impact of the financial crash on people and businesses in the West Midlands, Housing and economic development and made recommendations to make the voice of the West Midlands heard in government.

Responsibility for developing and leading for Labour’s Front Bench on Roads and Road Safety, Future Vehicles, Aviation and Maritime. Work included responding to the development of connected and autononomus vehicles, transition of the automotive sector beyond the internal combustion engine, infrastructure poicy and the importance of regional policy to the UK’s aviation strategy

Work included asisting with Ministerial efforts and liaison to help retain the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on the F1 World Championship calendar

Scrutinising the work of the then Department of Trade and Industry on a range of areas of industry, trade and energy policy. Key outputs included important reports on trade with China, company law reform and the growth of the knowledge economy.

Campaigned to build support in Labour for democratic reform and a more representative voting system.Also Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Electoral Reform 1999-2010

District Officer with primary responsibility for the water industry in the Midlands 1981-92. North Yorkshire County Council Branch Organiser 1979-81