// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs David Richards rich? He's a wealthy source.
David Richards | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 13 November 1970 |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Founder & CEO WANdisco PLC); co-founder of Yorkshire AI Labs |
| Spouse | Jane Richards |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
| Institutions | |
David James Richards MBE (born 13 November 1970) is a British entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor. He co-founded WANdisco, an Anglo-American software company specialising in distributed computing, and is co-founder and managing partner of Yorkshire AI Labs, a Sheffield-based venture firm that builds AI-powered companies in partnership with domain experts.[1][2][3]
Early life
[edit]Richards was born in Sheffield, England in 1970, where his father worked in the steel industry. He graduated with a degree in Computer science from the University of Huddersfield in 1992, after which he became an early member of the team at Druid Group[4].
Career
[edit]In the mid-1990s, Richards formed a SAP consulting company, which he sold in 1998 and relocated to Silicon Valley. Raising $25 million from venture capital, he founded business software company Insevo before creating Librados, which was acquired by NetManage in 2004[5].
WANdisco was incorporated in 2005 following a chance meeting between Richards and chief scientist Dr Yeturu Aahlad. Richards recognised the potential of Aahlad's invention and the two decided to create the company without the use of Venture capital or angel investors[6]. In June 2012, the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange[4].
In March 2023, WANdisco suspended trading in its shares after disclosing significant irregularities in its reported sales bookings, which Richards and the company's chief financial officer had identified. Richards stepped down as chairman and chief executive in April 2023. An independent investigation commissioned by the company subsequently attributed the irregularities to the actions of a single senior sales employee.[7] The Financial Conduct Authority(FCA) investigated the company's market announcements and closed its investigation in November 2025 with no action taken; Richards said the outcome confirmed "what I've always known"[8][9][10]
After leaving WANdisco in 2023, Richards co-founded Yorkshire AI Labs, a Sheffield-based venture capital firm with an initial £10 million fund aimed at investing in Yorkshire-based technology businesses.[11] The firm's portfolio of co-founded companies includes IntelliAM AI Plc, of which Richards is co-founding Chairman,[12] a manufacturing asset management platform applying machine learning to improve productivity for global food and beverage manufacturers, which was admitted to trading on the Aquis Stock Exchange;[13] DigitalCNC, an AI-driven precision manufacturing software company spun out of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in 2025 in partnership with industrial research fellow Dr Rob Ward, which has drawn interest from aerospace manufacturers including Rolls-Royce Holdings and Boeing;[14] PureTec, which applies AI to orthodontic treatment planning and the manufacture of biodegradable clear aligners;[15] and LEXcelerate, an AI-powered law firm launched in 2026 and led by Paul Firth, former UK managing partner of DLA Piper, designed to automate high-volume legal services including residential conveyancing.[16]
In February 2025, Richards was appointed to the Economic Growth and Investment Group of the Social Mobility Commission, an advisory body sponsored by the Cabinet Office, established to drive regional economic development and support social mobility initiatives across the UK.[17]
Philanthropy
[edit]In 2017, Richards and his wife Jane donated stock valued at $1.5 million to create the charitable David and Jane Richards Family Foundation[18] to educate, empower and improve the lives of children.[19]
Richards cited frustration at the UK Government's efforts to teach computing skills to schoolchildren and consequently a lack of adequate skills in a future economy where artificial intelligence and automation are prevalent. He said "You can’t have all this money and hold on to it or buy a football team. There’s only so many houses you can live in. I think it’s better to do something good for the world."[20]
During the COVID-19 pandemic Richards co-founded Laptops For Kids, a charitable organisation to facilitate the donation, secure erasure, and distribution of used digital devices, enabling children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have access to the technology they need to participate in remote learning. He said "nearly one in 10 children living in households with no access to a laptop, desktop or tablet computer, the shift towards remote learning during the pandemic has excluded up to 1.77m young people from active schooling. No access equals no education. I am not prepared to let this injustice go unchallenged."[21]
Awards and honours
[edit]Richards was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the information technology sector and young people, particularly during Covid-19.[22][23]
He was awarded an honorary doctorate from The University of Sheffield (2023) for giving distinguished service or bringing distinction to the University, the City of Sheffield, or the region.[24]
He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University (2017) in recognition of him being a champion of British technology and a passionate advocate of entrepreneurship.[25]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "From Sheffield son to Silicon Valley multimillionaire". BBC News. London. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ↑ "Yorkshire AI Labs wants to buy world's oldest club, Sheffield FC". www.bbc.com. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ "Tech boss David Richards opens up about losing £20m from 'devastating' WANdisco scandal as he launches new AI business venture". Yorkshire Post. Leeds. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Happy to swim against the tide". Financial Times. London. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ↑ "NetManage to acquire Librados". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Cupertino, CA. 22 September 2004. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ↑ "Man of Steel". Director Magazine. London. 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ↑ "WANdisco's CEO and CFO step down as fraud probe continues". Proactiveinvestors NA. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ "Independent Investigation Update". Investegate (RNS). Cirata plc. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ "What I've always known: Ex-WANdisco boss David Richards welcomes end of FCA probe into Sheffield tech firm". Yorkshire Post. Yorkshire Post. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ↑ "Lift Global Ventures plc, Statement regarding FCA investigation update". London Stock Exchange (RNS). London Stock Exchange. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ↑ "David Richards opens up about losing £20m from 'devastating' WANdisco scandal as he launches new AI business venture". Yorkshire Post. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ "INTELLIAM AI PLC filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ Media, Insider (9 January 2024). "AI platform secures Yorkshire AI Labs investment - Insider Media". Insider Media Ltd. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
- ↑ "University of Sheffield spinout company set to revolutionise advanced manufacturing". sheffield.ac.uk. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ↑ "Orthodontic Tech Start-up PureAlign Backed By Yorkshire AI Labs | Yorkshire News". www.yorkshire.com. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ↑ Rose, Neil (19 February 2026). "Just 15 minutes of lawyer work - AI-driven law firm targets remortgages". Legal Futures. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ↑ "Commission launches Economic Growth and Investment Group". Social Mobility Commission. London. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ↑ "Sheffield tech tycoon donates £1.1m for computer skills in schools". The Star. Sheffield. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ↑ "Our Purpose". The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ↑ "Sheffield-born tech tycoon provides boost for computer science in schools". The Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
- ↑ "How my Laptops for Kids innovation bridges digital divide – David Richards". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ↑ "No. 63571". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 2022. p. N24.
- ↑ "The Gazette Official Public Record: Order of the British Empire". Order of the British Empire Civil Division Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ↑ "Honorary graduates". University of Sheffield Online. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ "Inspirational figures set to receive honorary doctorates". Sheffield Hallam University Online. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.