Richard Ritchie is Director, UK Government Relations in BP’s Communications and External Affairs Department. Trained as a musician, he subsequently obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies.  He has worked in many areas of BP including planning, Human Resources, and industrial and retail marketing.  His current responsibilities include political advice and analysis for BP’s Managing Directors, co-ordination and management of BP’s oral and written responses to Government, and external presentation of BP’s political interests and concerns.  He is a former local councillor and Parliamentary candidate, and has written extensively on political matters.  He has edited two books of speeches by the late Rt. Hon. J. Enoch Powell.