Mark Richards

Mark joined the NHS in 1988 and qualified as registered mental health nurse in 1991. He graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BSc in forensic mental health in 2001, and has completed postgraduate studies in primary care at the University of Glasgow. He has also trained as a business coach.

His early clinical career was spent in forensic mental heath services in Perth and Glasgow, and he has held professional leadership and managerial roles in mental health, addictions, learning disability and prisoner healthcare services.

Between 2016 and 2022, he was the Director of Nursing and Operations/Deputy CEO at the State Hospital’s Board for Scotland, with responsibility for nursing, allied health professional, psychology, infection prevention and control and administrative services. During this time, he also served as the vice chair of Scotland’s Executive Nurse Directors Group and worked as an advisor to Scotland’s Public Services Ombudsman.

He is currently the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Scottish Government, working between the Chief Nursing Officer’s and Mental Health Directorates, with his work focused on areas such as mental health nursing strategy, workforce planning and development, and the quality and safety of mental health services.