Born in 1953, Richard Selley grew up on a farm in North Devon. After graduating from Exeter University in 1976, he began his teaching career at Milton Abbey School, in Dorset, before moving to Loretto School, near Edinburgh, in 1979. During his thirty years there, Richard held many posts, including Head of the Economics Department, Housemaster, Master in charge of cricket, Deputy Head, and Headmaster of the junior school. Richard retired in 2009, and his battle with MND began just three years later.