The Turnaround Project is a registered charity that supports people who have been given prison or community sentences as they transition out of the justice system. Working with people before and after they complete their sentences, and providing real jobs in transitional employment opportunities, Turnaround works to tackle the barriers between them and employment. In the process, Turnaround engages the wider community in supporting people on their journey and reducing the social and financial impact of re-offending. You can find out more about Turnaround at www.theturnaroundproject.org.

Projects included:The Office of the Vice-Chancellor commissioned Richard to research and draft a substantive policy paper on the implications of Brexit for higher education in Northern Ireland, and for Ulster University in particular.The University’s Institute for Research in Social Sciences has commissioned Richard to work on a range of projects which it undertook on behalf of external clients, including an examination of how far the PSNI has internalised Policing with the Community at a cultural, structural and operational level; an examination of the effectiveness of the Policing Committees of Northern Ireland's Policing and Community Safety Partnerships in their local policing oversight role; a project to identify the resources that are available to, and utilised by police at a community level, with a view to improving performance and partnership; and a project to aid implementation of ‘harm’ and ‘vulnerability’ measures as a means of supporting delivery of the Programme for Government; and a number of projects linked to delivery of Northern Ireland Executive's Action Plan for Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime.

Richard has worked alongside GPG staff and other associates on projects to support the strengthening of parliamentary and political systems in Ukraine, Iraq and Sudan.

Pivotal is a new future–facing public policy forum for Northern Ireland, independent of government and unaligned with any political party. Working with our partners, including colleagues at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, Pivotal’s focus is on evidence–based ideas and policies to improve our society, economy and public services.

Alongside other appointments and projects, Richard undertook commissions as a freelance consultant. In this capacity he delivered projects for a range of clients, including:- MCE Public Relations, a leading Northern Ireland Public Relations and Public Affairs practice (mcepublicrelations.com).- The Centre for Justice Innovation, a London-based organisation working to reform the UK's justice system through research, policy and practice development (justiceinnovation.org).- Ulster University (ulster.ac.uk).- Politics Plus, a Belfast-based organisation that seeks to enhance the capacity of Members of Northern Ireland's legislative Assembly and representatives of political parties, and to strengthen the role of women and young people in political life (politicsplus.com).- The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building.- the independent panel commissioned by the Department of Justice to undertake a consultative evaluation of constructive activity in separated prison accommodation.- Pivotal, the Public Policy Forum, a new evidence-based, future-focused and independent public policy think tank established to bring together individuals and organisations from different sectors to research, discuss and promote policies to tackle Northern Ireland's social and economic policy challenges.- NICVA, the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.

In response to the "Stormont House Agreement" and the "Fresh Start Agreement" Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy First Minister appointed a 15-Member Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The Commission’s task was to take forward a programme of work which would include:- scoping the range, extent and nature of issues relating to flags, identity, culture and tradition;- mapping the benefits and opportunities in terms of flags-related issues whilst highlighting where challenges remain; - identifying and acknowledging the opportunities presented by having a rich and diverse community in which cultural expression can be celebrated; - consulting with the UK and Irish Governments as appropriate; and - producing a report and recommendations on the way forward.

Following the devolution of Justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2010, and for the following six years, the role included: - reviewing and providing advice on Ministerial submissions on strategic policy and operational matters related to Northern Ireland's criminal and civil justice systems; - contributing to public policy development process within the Department of Justice;- providing strategic political and policy advice to the Minister, the Permanent Secretary and Departmental Board Directors; - liaising with Special Advisers in other Executive departments across the five-party coalition to secure consensus support for legislation and cross-cutting decisions, to identify political challenges and negotiate solutions; - liaison with officials in the UK and Irish Governments on cross-cutting issues; - liaising with the Minister's political party colleagues on relevant policy issues; and- representing the Minister's views to members of the Assembly's Justice Committee, MLAs, the media and other stakeholders.

Serving three Speakers, the role included: - supporting the Speaker in his/her role as Chair of the Assembly's Business Committee and the Assembly Commission (the corporate body); - line-managing the staff of the Speaker's Private Office; - providing advice to, and on behalf of the Speaker, on policy and political matters; - political liaison on behalf of the Speaker with politicians and political parties, the Northern Ireland Executive, and the UK and Irish Governments; - policy and speech-writing; and- dealing with the media, public affairs organisations and other interest groups on behalf of the Speaker.