Richard Walker

Richard is a Durham University graduate (Geography, St Aidan’s, 2001) and the Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods. Under his leadership, Iceland has undertaken a range of world-leading sustainability and social impact initiatives that include becoming the first major retailer globally to commit to eliminating single-use plastic packaging from its own label range; taking action against continuing destruction of tropical rainforests as the first major UK supermarket to announcing the removal of palm ingredients from its own label food; leading a national campaign to cut the price and reform the archaic laws on infant formula; and launching a unique interest-free microloan scheme to help struggling families – the Iceland Food Club. 

In 2023, Richard took on the incredible challenge of climbing Mount Everest to raise funds for a Rare Dementia Support Centre at UCL. He raised more than £1 million. He chairs the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation and also continues to chair Bywater Properties – the business he founded before joining Iceland in 2012, which is now a UK leader in low carbon timber construction   

In January 2026 Richard was appointed to the House of Lords by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, becoming Lord Walker of Broxton.