Engineering a better future: entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social responsibility

Richard is an entrepreneur, engineering expert, and champion for ethical business practice.

He plays a significant role in the world’s engineering capability, providing niche manufacturing services to global innovators through his business, Cambridge Precision Ltd, committed to working with technologies “that change or save lives.”

As an ambassador, mentor, technical expert, and financier, he is motivated by his interest in the personal development of others and the transference of skill, knowledge, and craft.

Richard leads CPL’s involvement with the All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Responsibility Group and the Department for Business and Trade (as an Export Champion), mentoring other UK businesses. Equality, sustainability and social responsibility are key themes in his life.

In 2021, the IET awarded the Manufacturing 4.0 award, a global accolade for a company leading the world’s 4th industrial revolution, to CPL.

Richard's dedication extends far beyond his business ventures. He has held numerous volunteer positions, including Fellow-Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College, Mentor at UCL, Vice President of the Heritage Crafts Association, Member of The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, and Trustee of both the Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust and Long Road Sixth Form College.

He is passionate about the preservation of heritage skills and works tirelessly to protect endangered crafts that have historically helped build the UK’s reputation for innovation and quality. His work with the Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust is helping to secure the future of the English sports gun, and creating multiple apprenticeships and new employment opportunities. 

Richard has encouraged, supported and mentored many individuals in numerous ways, from the patronage of young artists, to reviewing start-up business plans and helping promote access to education and skills training.

We caught up with Richard about his involvement at Lucy Cavendish College.

Can you tell us about your work as a Fellow-Commoner?

I am inspired by innovation and creative thought. The opportunity to support bright young minds and enterprising ambitions is a genuine privilege. In my role as a Fellow-Commoner, I have the opportunity to bridge connections between students and successful businesses and to support the many initiatives that Lucy has created, in the college’s desire to encourage an enterprising mindset. I have become actively involved in the Lucy Enterprise Challenge programme and the Enterprise Society, working with students, academic staff, and business professionals to share expertise and promote innovative get-up-and-go.

Why Lucy particularly, what stands out to you about the college?

Lucy stands out amongst the Cambridge colleges as being the most inclusive and committed to increasing access for students who may not immediately see themselves as a ‘Cambridge student.’  Creating a society that offers opportunity to all is a personal commitment and motivation and I saw so many synergies between the Lucy ethos and the ethical ambitions that I try to instil in my own businesses, it is easy to see why Lucy Cavendish stands out.

How do you feel your interaction with Lucy Cavendish has helped you?

With more than thirty years as a business leader, the most important thing I have learnt is the value of an open mind!  Creativity and innovation don’t thrive in stagnant environments.  My involvement with Lucy and the many young people I encounter keeps me on my toes and helps me retain the ability to question, review, reinvent and change.  Without the confidence that there is always something new to learn, how would business and society keep evolving?