Richard has significant international experience. One of Richard's first posts involved a three year project in Hong Kong; understanding the Chinese way, bringing together the expertise of two very different business cultures in a JV between BT and Hutchison Whampoa, (sadly no immediate relation to Kay Hutchison) and leading a team that created a vision for a digitally connected city, one of the first in the world. He worked with an mix of business people, technologists and media movers and shakers.

Perhaps the most unique person he worked with was one of Hong Kong’s most patrician executives – someone who not only had his own special, permanently-reserved, places at leading night spots and restaurants – but also had a car given to him by Ray Stark, the legendary Hollywood Producer, for his help on the classic film Love is a Many Splendoured Thing. He only used the car at weekends – and then only so that he could take his dogs for a drive!

The experience gained in Hong Kong has given Richard a real understanding of cultural perspectives and the value of building long-term working relationships.

He made many friends in Hong Kong and has visited China many times, both on business and when helping establish relationships for his travel company, Discovery Initiatives, as it sought to set up trips to view Pandas in the wild. He has also done work for two major Japanese entertainment companies, both in Tokyo and abroad, but his most recent visit to Eastern Asia was not work related at all – a trip to North Korea! A fascinating other world – and one he is only too happy to share!

Photographs by Richard Dikstra and Julian Matthews