Richard Purchase

Richard Purchase until recently Director of Colleges and Business Development at Alpha Plus Group has joined Riverston as Executive Director of the Riverston Group and Chief Executive Officer of Riverston Schools (UK) Ltd. Alpha Plus is the UK’s second largest independent schools operator with 12 schools, including Wetherby, 4 colleges and 2 nurseries.

 Richard joined Alpha Plus in 2008 from Tribal Group where he was Managing Director of their Children’s Services education consulting business. At Alpha Plus, he took lead responsibility for governance and operations of the Abbey DLD Colleges, and led on a number of significant development projects, including the acquisition of St Anthony’s School in Hampstead and Hilden Grange School in Tonbridge; the establishment of new schools – Chepstow House and Wetherby Senior; and the development of major new campuses for Abbey College Cambridge and DLD College London. Richard qualified as a pharmacist from Bath University and has significant experience in the healthcare and educational services sector. An international hockey player in his youth he continues to play at senior international level as well as being an accomplished hockey coach.

Richard will contribute to Riverston’ s business development in the UK and internationally, and will have specific responsibility for the success and expansion of Riverston’ s schools in the UK including Riverston School in London and Beech Hall School in Cheshire.