Francis Richards was born on 18 November 1945, son of Sir (Francis) Brooks Richards, KCMG, DSC and Hazel Myfanwy, daughter of Lt-Col Stanley Price Williams, CIE. He was educated at Eton and King’s College, University of Cambridge (MA). In 1971, he married Gillian Bruce Nevill, having one son and one daughter.

After beginning his career in the Royal Green Jackets, in 1967, Richards was invalided out in 1969 and joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His career included the following postings; Moscow [Soviet Union], 1971; UK Delegation to MBFR (Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction) negotiations, Vienna [Austria], 1973; FCO, 1976-85 (Assistant Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary, 1981-82); Economic and Commercial Counsellor, New Delhi [India], 1985-88; FCO, 1988-90 (Head, South Asian Department); High Commissioner, Windhoek [Namibia], 1990-92; Minister, Moscow, 1992-95; Director (Europe), FCO, 1995-97; Deputy Under-Secretary of State, FCO, 1997-98; Director, GCHQ, 1998-2003; Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Gibraltar, 2003-06.