Peter Richwood
Peter Richwood | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait | |
| Chancellor of the Treasury | |
| Assumed office January 2024 | |
| Monarch | William V |
| Prime Minister | Henry Nugent |
| Under-Secretary for Economic regulation | |
| In office 2023–2024 | |
| Monarch | William V |
| Prime Minister | Philip Campbell |
| MP for Lench Park and Talmond | |
| Assumed office 2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1979 Clarence, Labrador |
| Political party | Liberal Conservative |
| Spouse | Imelda Alexander (m. 2007) |
The Hon. Peter Stanley Piers Richwood (born: 30 September 1979) is a Delamarian politician, journalist and financier currently serving as Chancellor of the Treasury, having previously served as Under-Secretary for economic regulation and as Member of Parliament for Lench Park and Talmond since 2018. A member of the Liberal Conservative party he has chaired the parliamentary finance and banking committee, and has been co-leader of the Commonwealth Caucus. Prior to entering politics he worked for Milton Fitzpatrick as a banker and later as a financial journalist for the The City Economist and The Tracham Times.
Early Life and Education
Peter Stanley Piers Richwood was born on 30 September 1979 in the Clarence district of Labrador, Delamaria's capital and largest city. His father, Sir Francis Richwood, was a notable corporate lawyer, while his mother, Lady Margaret Richwood (née Leyland), was an academic and policy advisor specializing in economic development.
He attended St. Augustus College, a prestigious preparatory school in Labrador, where he excelled academically and developed a keen interest in economics and politics. Richwood then pursued a degree in economics and finance at the University of Westchester, where he graduated with first-class honors. At Westchester, he was highly involved in the Westchester Economics Society, serving as president and organizing lectures with prominent economists and policy experts. His thesis on fiscal policy in emerging economies earned recognition and was published in the Delamarian Economic and Philisophical Journal.
Career
After university, Richwood joined Milton Fitzpatrick, a leading Delamarian investment bank. As an analyst, and later as an associate, he worked on corporate mergers, infrastructure financing, and international debt restructuring.
In 2007, he left banking to pursue a career in financial journalism, aiming to bring his expertise to a broader audience. He started as a columnist for The City Economist, where his articles addressed economic regulation, banking reforms, and the impacts of fiscal policy. In 2010, Richwood joined The Tracham Times as a senior financial correspondent, writing extensively on market trends and Delamarian fiscal policy. His columns were widely read and respected, often sparking policy debates in Parliament and raising public awareness about economic issues.
Political Career
In 2018, Richwood entered politics as the United Party candidate for Lench Park and Talmond, successfully winning the seat. His background in finance and economics quickly made him an influential figure within the parliamentary party, and he gained a reputation as a voice for economic reform and regulatory responsibility. He was elected chair of the Parliamentary Finance and Banking Committee in 2020. As chair he led investigations into corporate fraud, scrutinized banking regulations, and advanced policies to loosen regulation in the Delamarian economy.
In 2023, under Prime Minister Philip Campbell’s premiership, Richwood was appointed Under-Secretary for Economic Regulation. In this role, he implemented policies aimed at strengthening consumer protections, combating money laundering, and promoting transparency in financial markets. Richwood’s success in this role positioned him as a trusted figure in economic governance.When Henry Nugent became Prime Minister in 2024, succeeding Campbell, he promoted Richwood to Chancellor of the Treasury, where he has since overseen fiscal reforms focused on supporting small businesses, streamlining the tax system, and investing in infrastructure projects. His approach combines fiscal responsibility with selective market liberalization to encourage sustainable economic growth.
Richwood is an influential member of Parliament, particularly in economic oversight and conservative policy reform. Richwood also serves as co-leader of the Commonwealth Caucus, a faction within the Liberal Conservative Party. The Commonwealth Caucus promotes a centrist, socially-minded conservatism, advocating for moderate reforms aimed at balancing market freedoms with social responsibility. Under Richwood’s leadership, the Caucus has emphasized policies to support working families, promote fair wages, and protect essential services while prioritising economic growth, establishing him as a key figure for pragmatic conservatism within his party.
Personal Life
Richwood is married to Imelda Richwood (née Monfort), a public relations executive and director at Bridging Futures, a charitable foundation focused on supporting educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The couple lives in Labrador with their two children, Henry and Eleanor. Richwood is known for his interest in classical literature and economics. A proponent of financial literacy, he frequently participates in events aimed at educating young people about economics and responsible financial management.
Political views
Peter Richwood is known for his socially and economically liberal views, favoring policies that combine market-driven solutions with a commitment to financial responsibility and prudent regulation. Economically, Richwood supports a market-oriented economy with a strong emphasis on privatization and deregulation, aiming to stimulate competition and innovation. He has consistently advocated for reducing government involvement in sectors that can be effectively managed by private enterprise, arguing that privatization leads to increased efficiency and improved services for consumers. Richwood’s support for a liberal market economy is tempered by his belief in financial accountability and regulation to ensure fairness and stability. He has championed regulatory measures to prevent corporate misconduct, protect consumers, and promote transparency, aiming to create a balanced environment where businesses can thrive without compromising ethical standards. His Financial Conduct Act, for instance, introduced stricter oversight of large banks and financial institutions to reduce systemic risks and prevent economic crises.
Socially, Richwood aligns with progressive values, supporting policies that promote individual freedoms and equal opportunities. He advocates for policies that expand access to education, healthcare, and social services, believing these to be foundational for a productive society. He also favors moderate reforms to labor laws and workplace protections, supporting fair wages and reasonable working conditions while opposing measures he views as overly restrictive on business growth. Richwood was a promenent supporter of the 2021 Immigration Reform Act, which tightened restrictions for prospective immigrants, significantly increasing thresholds for necessary income, education and skills.
Richwood’s approach to public policy reflects his alignment with the Commonwealth Caucus, emphasizing the need for a “common-sense conservatism” that balances economic freedoms with social responsibility. He believes the government should create conditions for economic prosperity and self-reliance but also has a role in safeguarding citizens’ welfare and maintaining essential public services.