Born in Peterborough, Richard Barnes has a degree in economics from the University of Wales and successfully combined his business interests with various political roles before entering politics full time.

Richard has been the London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon since the Assembly was established in May 2000. He was re-elected in June 2004 with a substantially increased majority.

Richard is a multi-linguist, speaking Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and French together with a working knowledge of British Sign Language. He is also a keen environmentalist who keeps a number of animals at his home in Harefield.