Richard Simpson

Richard is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical (Hons). He also completed the Advanced Management Program, Business Management, Oxford University, Saïd Business School.

Richard is the Managing Director of Furnace Engineering Pty Ltd, holding this position for 20 years. From a background in automotive engineering (Ford Australia), Richard joined Furnace Engineering in 1994, starting in engineering design and project management, then sales, before leading the company.

Furnace Engineering is an Australian engineering company specialising in the design and manufacture of heat processing equipment for the industrial and research markets. The company has a significant export activity, and has been honoured several times in the Governor of Victoria Export Awards. Furnace Engineering has a long history of developing specialised heat processing equipment, most recently several novel high temperature technologies, and holds several patents covering key technology developed in-house.

Richard is also a director of two import/distribution businesses and one manufacturing business related to Furnace Engineering. He has served as an advisory board member on the Swinburne Innovation Precinct and Swinburne Leadership Institute. Richard is currently a non-executive director of Accutherm International Pty Ltd, Stork AWD Pty Ltd, Tetlow Kiln Pty Ltd, as well as Vice-President and board member of The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club and a director of The Jolimont Foundation.