Richie, born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, with a degree in Business Information Systems, founded BROWNS English Language School & Professional in Queensland in 2003. His visionary leadership earned BROWNS the prestigious Australian Government Export Award for National Education and Training in 2012.

Today, BROWNS trains over 6,000 students annually from more than 45 countries, and in 2022, it was acquired by Monarch Institute, Australasia’s largest online private vocational education provider.

Richie’s impact extends beyond BROWNS. He has contributed his expertise as a board member and advisor to the Queensland Government for International Education & Training, where he played a role in shaping government policy on international education, ensuring Queensland’s leadership and competitiveness in the global education market.

In 2024, he relocated to Taipei with his family, bringing his passion for innovation and mentorship to the vibrant startup ecosystem. Richie invests in and supports a diverse range of early-stage ventures and industry-leading companies across the healthcare, renewables, and deep tech sectors.

Outside of his professional endeavours, he enjoys exploring Taiwan's stunning coastline in search of its best surfing waves.