Richard Somner has lived in the Tilehurst and Calcot area for over 50 years. He has worked for the NHS for 11 years and is Lead Contracts Manager for The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading. Richard also works part-time for Sainsburys in Calcot.

Richard was a school Governor at Kennet Valley Primary School for 14 years, finishing his term as Chairman. He has been a Holybrook Parish Councillor since 2009 and is currently Chairman of the Festival Committee, he has held the Chairman of committee roles for Finance and for Buildings Planning until he was elected as a District Councillor in 2015 Richard has served on the Eastern Area Planning Committee and is currently a member of the Executive with Portfolio for Community Resilience and Partnerships, he has also been WBC Champion for mental health.

Richard successfully stood for re-election in Tilehurst South and Holybrook Ward (Formerly Calcot Ward) in 2019