About Us

Richard is co-founder and Director enjoying our working environment and developing the Dixon Searle Partnership since its formation in 2009.

From the Midlands, he moved to Portsmouth to gain a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accredited degree and begin a career in property, as well as triggering an unbreakable interest the downs and ups of Pompey football club. Having started out in private practice and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1991, Richard moved into a local government estates role, working for 7 years on land acquisitions, disposals and estate management. A 5 year spell in land buying with a large construction and development company followed, with Richard responsible for identifying and bringing forward a range of development sites as part of a technical team. That experience involved close working with a range of affordable housing providers, an interest Richard then further developed by moving into affordable housing consultancy and development viability work – now 20 years ago.

Richard plays a key role adding experience to our expert team helping to guide clients through Local Plan, CIL and other viability assessments at both strategic and decision making stage. This involves a wide range of tasks reflecting our leading role in viability in planning – including reporting and supporting the DSP team in meetings and presentations, as well as in our work with clients at Examinations and Appeals. Site specific viability reviews and consideration of affordable housing financial contributions are key aspects of Richard’s work, including liaising with planning and housing officers, planning applicants, Council Members and other stakeholders as required through the team’s busy and varied caseload. Attention to detail, sound analysis and judgement making are key traits Richard needs to call upon consistently in the changing climate that we are providing our expert viability services in. This has never been more relevant than now. He enjoys the freedom and challenge, probably in equal measures, that are involved in the successful running of the Dixon Searle Partnership

Richard has enjoyed being a keen supporter of a youth cycling club. His spare time generally means being outdoors and spending time with his family as much as possible, very often something to do with cycling both on the lanes and off road, walking and generally enjoying a change of scenery as well as our great local surroundings.