Richard joined the Institute in 1990 and was awarded fellowship in 1998 in recognition of his leadership, commitment, length of service and ethical practice within the environment profession. The three areas of professional practice that led to Richard to becoming a fellow of the Institute included protected area management, environmental management in the military and best practice environmental management in design and construction. Richard has been a long-standing and active member of the Institute and has undertaking various roles including the following:

• Chair, External Relations Committee – 1996
• Chair, Policy and Practice Committee – 1998
• Chair, Special Projects Taskforce – 1999
• National Councillor for the ACT Division
• Chair, 2001 Annual Conference Organising Committee
• Chair, 2009 Annual Conference Organising Committee
• Chair, Fellowship Review Committee – 2006 to 2013
• Chair, Heritage Special Interest Section – 2016 to 2018
• Chair, Ecology Special Interest Section – 2018 to 2021

In 2015, Richard was awarded the Simon Molesworth Award for outstanding service to the Institute.