Richard Barker

Educated as a physicist, Richard spent over 25 years at the leading edge of the technology and creative industries, spanning multiple roles from CTO to marketing strategy and managing director. He has won multiple awards for innovation and started up three new businesses during the tech boom of the 90’s and 00’s.

In 2011, a change in career resulted in Richard joining Climate-KIC, a European Commission funded organisation tasked with addressing climate change and developing the green economy. As the Director Innovation and eventually Director Research and Thought Leadership, Richard’s understanding of the challenges and the opportunities for progress was shaped by exposure to world-leading scientists, thought leaders, practitioners, C-suite executives and entrepreneurs.

In 2018 Richard joined the National Physical Laboratory as the Head of Energy and Environment, where he leads the UK science and measurement capability to address the societal grand challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability.