Richard Gomes is Chief Programme Officer at Shell Foundation, where he is accountable for deploying the organisation’s resources to create and scale inclusive business models and financial solutions that aim to improve income, equality, health and education outcomes for people earning less than a living wage across Africa and Asia.
He oversees Shell Foundation’s investment strategy, partnership origination and portfolio performance, and is a permanent member of its Approvals Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Value for Women, a specialist advisory firm that supports businesses, investors and donors to design and scale gender‑inclusive models, strategies and systems.
Since joining Shell Foundation in 2009, Richard has worked closely with more than 100 pioneering enterprises and financial vehicles across Africa and Asia to support technology innovation, build consumer demand, reach commercial viability and mobilise follow‑on investment. Over this period, Shell Foundation’s portfolio has improved the lives of more than 280 million people, created over 900,000 jobs, and leveraged $10.5 billion to scale impact.
Richard has authored several reports on social investment, inclusive market development and energy access, including How climate investors can accelerate energy access in Africa (2021), Enterprise Solutions to 2030 (2015) and Accelerating Access to Energy (2014). He played a central role in shaping Shell Foundation’s systemic approach to market transformation, with a particular focus on mobilising blended finance and advancing gender‑lens investing.
Prior to Shell Foundation, Richard worked in financial and commercial roles for the Shell Group in the UK, Europe and Asia. He holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Warwick and is an alumnus of the London School of Journalism.