Dr Richard Messer is Chief Strategy Officer and University Secretary. He read Philosophy and Theology at Oriel College, Oxford, before completing a PhD in Philosophy of Religion at Birmingham University. He joined the University of Reading in 1991 in the Urban and Regional Studies Faculty Office, followed by a five year period as the University's Examinations Officer.

He became Director of Planning Support in 1998, Director of Academic Services in 2008, Head of University Administration in 2012 and Chief Strategy Officer and University Secretary in 2014. Dr Messer leads the Academic and Governance Services Directorate. He is involved with AHUA (the Association of Heads of University Administration). He is married with two children.