Richard is the founder of Open Data Durban, a civic technology lab with a focus on the development of open data for application to urban challenges operating from the city of Durban, South Africa. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Tenji, a data science startup with a focus on building data products and tools that aid socio-economic development and planning.

Open Data Durban is a non-profit civic technology lab that uses open data and civic technology in initiatives that work to build inclusive and responsive cities that can then realise democracy and citizen-centredness. It implements and advocates for active citizens, open data, future inclusive cities, open government and civic technology. We believe in co-design that is centred around people and that lets those in the centre of issue set the frame.

Prior to founding Open Data Durban, Richard worked as an economist, based in Durban, South Africa, for eight years where he interacted with both private clients and all tiers of South African government on a range of projects in various sectors. He is an entrepreneur with a dedication to the advancement of African communities through dynamic solutions and tools, hoping to empower socio-economic development and to affect social change. He has a deep interest in openness and transparency in society. When he finds spare time he grows his beard, brews beer, appreciates good coffee and likes to tell people he listens to vinyl.