Richard Robinson received a first class degree in Psychology and Sociology from Leeds University in 1979. After a brief period of scientific research, he joined a small software house and then joined Racal Avionics as Head of Software Quality. During this period, he was extensively involved in the development of international software quality standards.

On leaving Racal he joined Rex, Thompson and Partners, a respected consultancy specialising in safety and security, where he served as Senior Consultant and Quality Manager. Among the clients for whom he provided ISO 9000-related services were British Steel, ICI, the Civil Aviation Authority and Andersen Consulting, whom he joined as Quality Manager.

At Andersen Consulting, the world’s foremost management consultancy, he operated as world-wide expert on ISO 9000, travelling throughout Europe, East Asia, the USA and South Africa to support local ISO 9000 registration projects. During this period he also provided extensive support to Andersen Consulting clients around the world. He also served as the main quality management specialist on Andersen Consulting’s world-wide quality strategy team.

• Since leaving Andersen Consulting, he has managed or played a leading role in many key quality projects:
  • World Bank ISO 9000 registration projects in Poland.
  • World-wide product standards project for Courtaulds.
  • Continuing support to Andersen Consulting’s world-wide ISO 9000 programme.
  • Pre-ISO 9000 registration auditing and training for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Research Agency.
  • Validating major software models for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Centre for Defence Analysis.
  • Published reports on software procurement.
  • Business strategy and comprehensive computer systems development for a leading London legal practice.
  • Training programmes for the London Quality Centre on management strategy, advanced management skills and software quality improvement.