Ian Richardson grew up in Chester, graduated from Manchester University with an honours degree in law (LL.B) and then qualified as a Chartered Secretary (ACIS and subsequently FCIS).

His business career started with The Rank Organisation (films, cinemas, hotels, Hard Rock cafes, etc), where he became Deputy Secretary. He was then appointed Group Company Secretary and Director of Administration of H P Bulmer, the Herefordshire cider maker and drinks distributor (Strongbow, Bulmers Original, Perrier, Red Stripe lager, Pol Roger champagne, etc).

In 1993 he joined AXA, the French multinational financial services group, where he served as Group Business Risk Director of AXA UK plc, a position he held until his retirement in 2007. His responsibilities included legal, company secretarial and operational risk, compliance and internal audit matters. He later became non-executive chairman of the AXA UK Pension Scheme.

He was admitted as a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in 1998 and a Liveryman in the same year; he was elected to the Court in  2002.

Ian always showed great interest in the ICSA and served as Chairman of the Company Secretarial Group for a number of years, remaining an adviser until the end of his life.

He was a key member of the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies which advises the Lord Mayor ahead of overseas business visits which promote UK financial services. He was also Senior Vice-President of the Ward of Cheap, but unfortunately had to withdraw from potential office for health reasons.

One of Ian’s great prides was serving as Vice-Chair of Governors of Rokeby School, which is situated in the London Borough of Newham.

During Ian’s year as Master, he and his wife Rosalie took part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the London Olympics and further enhanced the Company’s links with the Armed Forces. As Master, in the presence of the crew at Barrow-in-Furness, he presented the Ian Molyneux Memorial prize to a crew member.

Within the Livery he instigated and chaired a strategic review of the Company, recognising the importance of attracting new and younger Liverymen, the need for change and cost control.